Pomander Repousse Ajoure import + hallmarks

[paradisetrader]

Repousse Ajoure Silver lid depicting Crystanthemums on small Glass Bowl
probably Pot Pouri / Pomander
Item pic


I think this was made in Japan in the 1930s and imported into UK in the 1950s.
Marks Pic

I have struggled to get a good pic of the marks with many attempts and 2 different cameras. This is the best I can do. Apologies. If it really isn't good enough I will try again.

Marks From left
1) AN or AM in Shield (Maker, Importer ?)
2) Lion Passant ( = Sterling .....London ?)
3) Capital B sideways in rounded square with clipped corner = Date mark ? 1937 ? (why sideways ?)
4) (cursive) s? Assay date ? 1953 ?
5) "925" between scales - Duty Mark (please confirm)
6) 925 (simple fine stamp without backing)

Silver weighs 13.7 grams = .44 troy oz.
I am a complete silver novice. I have avoided buying silver because I find the marks so difficult. Hopefully I can learn a bit.
Thank you in anticipation.
Pete
PS my eBay name cannot be deduced from my photo links or forum name.

[dognose]

Hi Pete,

Welcome to the Forum.

I can't see anything to suggest a Japanese connection. The hallmarks are standard London marks for what appears to be 1973 ?, plus the Common Control Mark. The capital 'B' sideways, is the Leopard's Head, the mark of the London Goldsmith's Company.

For more details of the convention mark (Common Control Mark) see: http://www.hallmarkingconvention.org/index.php

I'm guessing from your photo, that the maker appears to be Ari Norman, one of the finest silversmiths in the country, see: http://www.aridnorman.co.uk/ but remember I am guessing with the maker. Have a look at the maker's mark of Ari Norman here: http://www.925-1000.com/dlLondon.html#M and see how it compares.

Trev.

[dognose]

Thinking about this set of marks some more, some things did not add up. As far as I'm aware, we did not strike the Common Control Mark until around the 1975-76 period, and as this piece does not appear to bear any import marks, then I can only conclude the the item was assayed at London and then exported to another country that is part of the Convention, and the Common Control Mark struck there.

It would be good to hear the views of other members.

Trev.

[paradisetrader]

Thank you very much for your response.
I feel quite the fool for not recognising the Leopard's Head but these marks are much, much smaller than usual and I've mislaid my jewellers loupe.

I'm also taken aback at being so far out on the date. How come I thought the "s" was 1953 ?? I think a visit to the optician is overdue. But why a question mark against 1973 ?

In pottery, ceramics, cloisonne, carvings, prints and other decorative arts, the Chrysanthemum is often a good indicator of Japanese origin. In silver I see that a number of prestigious American brands marketed patterns with an oriental style Chrysanthemum motif. I wonder if they actually made them.

Yes the makers mark does look like that of Ari Norman but the database notes that the mark wasn't registered 'till 1974 !

The 925 between scales does indeed appear to be the Common Control mark. I cannot shed any light on the disagreement in dating there either I'm afraid. The item was definitely bought in England.

Why the extra "925" on it's own at the end in additional to the CC Mark and London marks ? Seems unnecessary, superfluous !...... that is IF it was indeed the last mark to be struck. I can't help but wonder if it was actually the first. Then the CC mark, then the London marks. That would make more sense surely ? IN that case Norman's were merely the importers / wholesalers / retailers / assayers rather than the actual makers.

Another awkward fact supports this theory. I have seen only one other of these in all the years I've been trying to research it. It was the same in every respect except that the only mark it bore was the simple 925. No scales, no English marks and the item was located in USA.

Back to you, friend. Thanks again for your help so far.
Peter

[dognose]

Hi Peter,

The date letter 'S' at that time would have run from May 1973 until May 1974, so I guess that Ari Norman registered in the early part of 1974.

I was hesitant regarding the 1973 'S' as your example appears to be missing the serif, but perhaps it has just been badly struck.

Hopefully others will add their thoughts

Regards Trev.

[salmoned]

Could be a 1992 mark.

[salmoned]

By Jove, I believe that fellow has it! The 'S' mark exactly coincides with the 1992 'S'.

[paradisetrader]

Good Lord I thought I'd owned it longer than that !
Could have sworn I'd bought it in the late 80's when I used to haunt Brighton antiques market before going overseas for 10 years. It certainly wasn't bought new.

[paradisetrader]

Any thoughts on the 925 and the Common Control mark and the exact role of Ari Norman, Salmoned ?

[salmoned]

Only that the 925 [fineness mark], CCM, national mark (in this case the London Leopard head), and the sponsor mark are all part of the current marking requirements. Your photo of the marks isn't ideal - have you compared the 1992 'S' to your mark? Do you agree with my assessment of the letter match?