Unknown Makers Mark on Candlesticks DEP?

[nmdc114]

Hi everyone.

I recently purchased a beautiful pair of Candlesticks which I think may be German in origin but I am not sure. The only marks on them are DEP and the number 296. If anyone could advise me on what the initials DEP represent and who the possible makers are I would be ever so grateful. Many thanks, Nigel

[kozy845]

I'm going to make a wild guess here as I know next to nothing about German Silver. Could DEP stand for Deutche Electro Plate? Deutch = German.

[dognose]

Hi,

I'm uncertain, but is that not an abbreviation for French (?) design registration?

Trev.

[admin]

DEP = Depose - also used in Germany and your item certainly appears to be a piece of German Jugendstil design. Depose, accent over the "e", designates something akin to a design copyright or patent.

Regards, Tom

[Bahner]

Hello, have never before seen the DEP on pieces of German tableware, just on cutlery pieces of the 1930ies. It is usually transcribed as "Deutsches eingetragenes Patent" (roughly: German registered design). The piece certainly looks like German art nouveau around 1905. Best wishes, Bahner

[admin]

Hi Bahner,
I've seen a fair amount of Theodor Fahrner jewelry marked "Depose". For the benefit of the forum, can you clarify the difference between "Depose", Deponiert" & "DEP" ?

Thanks, Tom

[Bahner]

Hello, no difference really, just a different way of saying the same thing: don’t imitate this design, it is protected by law. It was up to the individual company what language to choose. On jewellery French would look nice - one could always claim that this actually WAS a French piece…. Best wishes, Bahner