Can anyone ID hallmarks on this candle holder (or ashtray)?

[Charlie8484]

Hi All

I’m clearing out parents’ loft. Found 20+ silver items, all of which I’ve categorised except this - has me stumped.

Images here: https://imgur.com/a/1SZ1hjn

Can anyone tell me/steer me:

1. What it is?
My guess is ashtray or candle holder. Or it might be something entirely different.

2. What country is it from?
All other silver pieces I’ve found have been British. However this doesn’t seem to have the lion so not sure.

3. What are the other hallmarks?
Without knowing the country for sure it is difficult to narrow down maker/town/year...

Info
Weighs 26g (silver base), 79g (overall)

I’ve tried to capture hallmarks from different angles/lenses.

All help appreciated!

C

[silvermakersmarks]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

For the benefit of those who are wary of clicking on links please embed your images. When you have done that I am sure that we will be able to tell you a little more about your loft find.

Phil

[Charlie8484]

Apologies. Here are the images embedded:

[silvermakersmarks]

The manufacturer's mark, assuming it is "IW", is not known to me, but the other lettering reads NSEP. This shows that the material is not silver but rather a base metal, nickel silver (which contains no silver at all), which has been electroplated. It is almost certainly British and may have been a sugar bowl.

Phil

[dognose]

Hi,

Welcome to the Forum.

It's a badly struck mark of Norton & White of Birmingham.

Here's another example, also double struck, but a little clearer:



It's confirmed by their unusual marking 'NSEP', rather than the usual 'EPNS'

See: https://www.925-1000.com/silverplate_N2.html

and: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=14729&p=95100&hilit=norton#p95100

Trev.

[AG2012]

Hi,
The maker has been identified.
As for its use, I think it is jam / jelly / condiment/sugar dish/bowl (depending on its size).
Definitively not candle holder and ashtray.
Regards

[Charlie8484]

Outstanding. Exactly what I needed. Thank you for your time all.
C.