Caster/muffineer - any information/guidance please?

[burnside]

First some apologies: Sorry for the poor quality photos but they're the best I can manage on my camera. Also, I've got no experience of dating silverware, I've found this site and have tried to try to work this out for myself but am struggling, so would like some help please!

I believe this is a silver caster or muffineer, but that is about all I know. It's about 8 inches tall with a heron or other bird design on the side.

The hallmarks are underneath and are quite small & indistinct. I think they are (clockwise from top left):
- a capital D in a pentagon with the point at the bottom (London 1719?)
- what I assume is the maker's mark and looks to be "S . W" or "E . W".
- a lion.
- a leopard's head which may have a crown

Again, sorry I can't get a better photo of the marks.

Can anyone help me identify this more accurately?




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[dognose]

Hi,

Welcome to the Forum.

I think we're going to need a clearer image of the hallmarks if we are going to be of help, if that is not possible, try drawing what you see and scan the drawing.
The only thing I would add at this point is that if it has a Lion Passant and Crowned Leopards Head marks, then it cannot be the 'D' of 1719 as at that time the Britannia standard was still in force as the only legal standard for silver and remained so until 30th May 1720.

Trev.
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[burnside]

I've finally got around to getting a better photo (new camera), so I hope this image is clearer. The top letter on the maker's mark (which I think is at a right angle to the date letter) looks like a W but could be an M. The other letter is indistinct but looks like an S. So my best guess is "S W".

Can anyone help me identify/date this piece now please?

[MCB]

Hello,

One of the prolific London caster makers was Samuel Wood (c1704-94). His first mark was registered in 1733 as SW in an oval shape with a pellet (dot) between his initials. With two exceptions he continued to use that type of mark. That said this indistinct maker's mark may not be his. Also the combination of date letter and town mark doesn't seem to readily match any of the ones found published for London after Wood registered.

Are there any marks on the collar of the detachable cap to give a clearer image of the maker's mark and the lion passant mark which could throw some more light on the matter?

Mike

[burnside]

Thanks for that. The only marks on the lid are two more of the maker's mark, which does have a dot in the middle as you described. These two marks aren't much clearer, but do look like "S . W".

[spobby]

If this is Sam Wood, then the only letter that seems to fit this would be the 'b' from 1737.
The makers mark certainly looks, to me, like Sam Wood.

If so, a good ccollectable piece.
Best regards
John

[burnside]

Yes I agree about the maker's mark, so thanks to everyone who helped, I'm glad tu have more of an idea about this item now!