Unknown Italian master

[zilverik]

Hi,

This is a nice Italian castor.Weight: 103 gr.; high: 8,8 cm, diameter: 4,9 cm.
All the marks are there (Veneto?) .800. The mastermark is very clear and yet I wasn't able to find him.
Maybe someone knows him this maker?

Regards,

Zilverik

[amena]

Hi Zilverik
the mark beside the "mondo stellato" (Starry world) is not a mastermark. It's the mark of assaying bureau of Padova.
Maybe the mastermark is missing.
Regards
Amena

[zilverik]

Hi Amena,

Thank you for your information. There is no other mark. When was this mark of assaying bureau of Padova in use? In the Netherlands we know this kind of caster around 1800-1820. This looks not that old. But how old is it?

Regards,

Zilverik

[dognose]

Hi Zilverik,

As I understand it the 'Anvil' mark (topmost on your mark image) was discontinued in 1872.

Trev.

[blakstone]

These marks were introduced in the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy by a decree of Eugène Bonaparte on Christmas Day, 1810. He mandated two silver standards, identical to those in France: the first of .950 and the second of .800. The “mondo stellato” was the second standard mark for large items, and the “anvil” for small ones. They began use on 1 Mar 1812, when the first new Italian assay offices were opened, including that in Padua [Padova], whose identifying mark, as stated, was the serpent & basket (shown in your photo on its side).

After the fall of Napoleon, these marks continued to be used in those parts of Italy which became the Hapsburg Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia (including Padua). They remained in use there until the unification of Italy, the Padua office closing in February 1870.

So unfortunately, that gives a rather broad date of 1812 to 1870 based on the marks. Stylistically, though, I agree that it looks very much the earlier end; I would say 1820 or so.

[zilverik]

Hi all,

This is great information. Thank you all.

I had another look into the Dutch castors. This type was already made in 1775 (Pieter Bartolomeus van der Linden, Amsterdam). Most of these where made early 19e century. For example this castor of Bennewitz was made in 1826. A litlle bit smaller than the Italien one. The purpose of this castor isn't completely clear. It could have been for cinamon or pepper, as is mentioned in Bennewitz en Bonebakker (Barend van Benthem). The Italien castor is indeed probably made around 1820.

Regards,

Zilverik

[blakstone]

Another possibility is a pounce-pot, used for sprinkling pounce onto parchment or paper, which prevented ink from running and helped it flow in fine, thin lines. Some pounce was made from finely-powederd sandarac, a type of resin, which also helped the ink adhere to the paper and resist fading. It could become clumped or even solidified in humid climates, though - hence the cap.

[zilverik]

Hi Blakstone,

Was a pounce-pot like these ones used in the Netherlands or Italy?

Regards,

zilverik

[dognose]

Hi Zilverik,

I believe they were used all over Europe, and probably a lot further. As Blakstone has stated, pounce was applied to parchment prior to writing to fill the minute imperfections, otherwise the ink would would craze and spread on the surface. As well as sandarach, ground cuttlefish bone was used this purpose.

Pounce pots were often accompanied with another matching pot, the other would contain ground pumice for blotting the ink.

Trev.