Italian flatwear set with Crowned Head & mystery mark

[kafsilver]

Hi! This small Italian silver set has the crowned head mark that I saw on this website. There seems to be and N 8 to the right of the crowned head? The N is above the 8?

There is a seperate mark that is in a rectangle. That is hard to read. Is it "VII" turned sideways?

These are from a family from Calabria, Italy. Belonged to woman in their family born about 1890 or so. There are 6 forks, 6 spoons and a large serving spoon.
I know nothing about silver, so please feel free to tell me even the most basic things.
Thank you so so much for your time!

[blakstone]

The head is that of Parthenope, the Greek siren who was the namesake of the ancient Greek colony today known as Naples, Italy. The mark, in this form, was used in Naples from 1824 until 1878 (when Naples joined the unified Kingdom of Italy). The "N" stood not for "Napoli" (as is often assumed) but "nostrali" ["ours"], indicating local production (as opposed to imported items marked with an "E" for "estero" ["foreign"], or liturgical items marked with a cross). The number indicated the both the metal and its purity: "8" indicated .833 silver.

Also coded on the letter "N"" was the mark of the assayer, but this is too worn on your marks to make out. Likewise the other mark, which is certainly that of the silversmith. Based on the style of the set, I would say it dates to the second quarter of the 19th century.

Hope this helps!

Ref: Elio & Corrado Catello, Marchi dell’Argenteria Napoletani dal XVI al XIX secolo (Sorrento: Franco Di Mauro Editore, 1996)

[kafsilver]

Wow, that is so helpful! I had no idea about any of that.

I am really glad to know more about what I have. Thank you so much!

[amena]

May I suggest to take better pictures of the marks ?
You have six spoons and six forks, that is 12 marks.
Choose the best, and make sharp pictures.
You could get some more information
Regards
Amena