Is Proteus the Silvermaker or just maufacturer?

PHOTOS REQUIRED - marks + item
JulieRL
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Aug 30, 2008 5:25 pm
Location: Washington DC

Is Proteus the Silvermaker or just maufacturer?

Postby JulieRL » Sat Aug 30, 2008 7:02 pm

Image Image
Wonderful set that I inherited -
Necklace is 17 inches (ring to ring); Center flower possibly a camellia is 1.75 inches ; Rose discs are 1 inch
Center disc is marked sterling and has what may be a silver maker mark
The far right (top) disc has the words "Proteus 1941". End ring of chain is also marked sterling
In the set there is a matching bracelet (just the rose discs) but with "Proteus 1940" My mother in law was originally from New Orleans and Proteus is/was a Krewe - but she was not there in 1940 & 41. Any thoughts?
Thanks
.

JLDoggett
co-admin
Posts: 664
Joined: Fri Oct 26, 2007 3:04 am
Location: New Hampshire

Postby JLDoggett » Sat Aug 30, 2008 7:15 pm

These were gifts to the ladies attending the Krewe's Mardi Gras Ball. The gift arrived with the coveted invitation and was often worn to the ball. The gifts were usually marked with the krewe name and year dated.
.

JulieRL
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Aug 30, 2008 5:25 pm
Location: Washington DC

Krewe silver jewelry

Postby JulieRL » Sun Aug 31, 2008 12:32 am

Thank you for that - It may have been sent by one of her school chums. She was married in 1939, What a nice token to entice one to the ball! - SO then the maker/silversmith would be most probably from New Orleans? Maybe someone will recognize the mark .

Thanks again
.

JLDoggett
co-admin
Posts: 664
Joined: Fri Oct 26, 2007 3:04 am
Location: New Hampshire

Postby JLDoggett » Sun Aug 31, 2008 3:01 am

The photo of the mark is too small for me to see clearly. As for the maker, it may well have been made in R.I. where a lot of this type of piece was made. There are collectors of Krewe items and I have seen books on the items sent with the invites.
.

JulieRL
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Aug 30, 2008 5:25 pm
Location: Washington DC

Mark enlarged

Postby JulieRL » Mon Sep 01, 2008 5:21 pm

Image

Thanks
.

JLDoggett
co-admin
Posts: 664
Joined: Fri Oct 26, 2007 3:04 am
Location: New Hampshire

Postby JLDoggett » Mon Sep 01, 2008 11:31 pm

Sorry, but I could not find any mark close to that in my reference books.
.


Return to “American Jewelry”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests