Italian Figurines -- Please help identify Hallmarks

[hq3473]

Hello,

I have these two figurines of a boy and a girl.

full size:
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/26 ... 1653SSuFeT
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/21 ... 1653QGqulq

They stand 3.5 inches tall each and are fairly heavy at 0.98 lb each.
The girl has these two hallmarks:



full size:
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/22 ... 1653oyLQnr
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/29 ... 1653LlQqAh

they read:
R. ARG. 925‰

and

FONDERIE
LO-PE
OSIMO

Can you please tell me if the "R. ARG. 925" means the figures are made of silver or are silver plated?

I would also appreciate any information on the manufacturer or dates.

Thank you for your help!
Rebecca

[salmoned]

I believe that 'R' means the item is made of resin and covered with silver (in this case sterling silver - .925).

[hq3473]

Salmoned,

Thank for your replay!

Do you think resin can be heavy enough to weight 1 pound in a 3.5 inch piece?

[admin]

Absolutely, the base material in these electroformed figurines can be very dense stuff.

Regards, Tom

[kerangoumar]

you find this also in other decorative Italian work - bases of crystal bowls that appear sculpted out of silver and pictures of boats, horses, madonnas etc also silvered over. They can trick the unwary into thinking that the entire object is silver. Always good to remember that silver is relatively light. I find a good way to keep one's senses sharp is to pick up one's silver to remember its relative weight.

[salmoned]

I'm not sure what Ker means by silver being 'light'. The metal is more dense than most other common metals.

If you question the composition of these pieces, I advise a density (specific gravity) test.