Is this Cape, or another pseudo mark?

[rat-tail]

Hi I am wondering if anyone can help with the identification of this old silver tumbler (well at least I think it is silver and it feels and cleans like silver). I'm hoping someone might have a copy of Weltz's Cape Silver (still hunting down my own) because I've seen this funny looking mock Georgian head somewhere before, but can't place it. It's not listed in the forum's Indian colonial section. The maker (if it's upside down which I think it is) looks like LT. The right way round it could be L? Then there's the funny head, then a capital letter C in a square cartouche and finally some sort of castle gate thing. Any help appreciated. Sorry about the pics, but the marks are quite rubbed. - Thanks Frank

[dognose]

Hi Frank,

I don't have a copy of Lawrence Holme Twentyman's mark to hand at the moment, but I do remember that he used the 'LT' mark and pseudo English marks, so it could well be his mark.

If I remember rightly Paulh has a copy of Weltz's book, so he will, I'm sure, confirm or deny.

In the meantime check out these posts for more info on LHT.

viewtopic.php?t=13305

viewtopic.php?t=15236

Regards Trev.

[rat-tail]

Thanks Trev - what a fascinating family history - or should we say non family history. It does seem interesting that two men with the most unusual surnames could be in the same profession at the same time in two far flung locations. - regards Frank

[paulh]

Hello Gentlemen,

Welz, rather appropriately, lists 20 marks for Lawrence Twentyman, one of which is the mark on your piece.

Paul.

[rat-tail]

Paul thanks for your help. Weltz is definitely on my list of must buys. I suppose c1820 is a reasonable guestimate, stylistically looks 20 years earlier, but this is a colonial piece and he only started working in Cape Town in 1818. Appreciate the info. - Thanks Frank

[paulh]

Hello Frank,

Welz numbers the illustrations of Lawrence Twentyman’s marks from 131 to 149 in his book. The mark on your piece is 138. If these are chronological then this marks comes around the middle of his time working in the Cape. However, I suspect that this is not the case and they are randomly listed. There does seem to be some kind of “date letter” system but only going from A to E in both upper and lower case, with one example of an upper case R. The letters do not run alphabetically with Welz’s listing numbers. The only other dating clue is that the marks listed from 131 to 134 include a fifth mark of a bird.

If ever I find another copy of Welz’s book I will post in the “Books for Sale” section. Don’t hold your breath though!

Paul.