Who was this mid 19th century Italian silversmith?

[SilverK]

I would be very grateful if someone on the forum could identify the maker of these little cups. I think they were assayed in Napoli by Gennaro Mannara. Taking into account his working dates and the date when the head of Partenope was in use, I think they were made between 1832 and 1863 (1855?).

To me they are little wine cups, but being only about 3cm high, excluding the handles, they would only carry a small amount of that nectar. Are they actually wine cups or something else?

All contributions gratefully received.

[AG2012]

Hi,
Being that small, I`d say they are open salt cellars. There are salts with handles. Unfortunately, cannot help with the maker.
Cheers

[SilverK]

Hi AG2012,

Thanks very much indeed for your response. They could indeed be salt cellars. Let's see what others think.

Regards,

Silverk.

[amena]

Finger on N does not seem perfectly straight in the picture, or it is just a reflection?

Regards
Amena

[SilverK]

Hi Amena,

You are correct - it is slightly wobbly and looks like the de Blasio mark, rather than the Mannara mark. Obviously that's good news, being the earlier of the two.

With that confirmation, do you know who the maker was? Any idea whether these are salts or small wine cups?

Many thanks for that really clear information,

Silverk.

[amena]

Unfortunately the mark (PE.55 ??) is unknown to me, none of the marks listed in the book of Catello resembles this .
The most usual form of salt cellar in use in Naples at that time was as follows

  the inside was always gilded
But it is certainly possible that someone has made salt cellars in different shape.
Look at this elixir cup, the handle is very similar.

Regards
Amena

[SilverK]

Hi Amena,

Thanks again for providing more input, and especially for taking the time to post images, in particular the elixir one which you must have taken purely to respond to my question. That handle is remarkably similar to mine. I wonder, since they were using that handle design for elixir cups, they may have used it for other drinking vessels - small wine cups for instance? I can't see any evidence of gilding, though that could have been cleaned off long ago.

I read the mark as PE.55 also.

Hopefully someone out there can identify it.

Best wishes,

Silverk.