unknown maker

[Zolotnik]

Hi all, Hi Hose_dk -

I got a hovedvandsaeg (I think from Denmark??) and can not find the maker. Maybe someone can help...
Many thanks in advance!





Regards
Zolotnik

[zilverik]

Hi Zolotnik,

Probably Copenhagen, Jonsen Brandt. He died in 1777. He used several marks. This mark looks like mark 620 (Danske Solvmaerker before 1870).

Regards,

Zilverik

[Hose_dk]

well could be. Town, guardein and tax mark missing. Which is unusual.
2 marks would typically be outside Copenhagen.
But mark 624 is likely but not exact.

As I cannot find other similar it is proberly him.

[zilverik]

Hi,

Are there no exceptions that masters in Copenhagen also use only two times the mastermark? It sure looks like it.



Regards,

Zilverik

[Hose_dk]

dont know. The use of double mark was in lack of guardein to set the 3 marks.
There where exeptions i.e. when the silver was less than a specific amount.

[Zolotnik]

Hi zilverik -
thank you very much for your photo of the marks and your help!

Hi Hose _dk -
thank you very much for your explanations!

Here my small collection...



Regards
Zolotnik

[zilverik]

Hi Zolotnik,

Beautifull collection! Looks, apart from maybe here and there some worn, mint. That makes me think of a remark from Qrt.S lately on this forum to think twice before he lets a silversmith "lay a hand" on an old silver object. What is your guess how many of these nice boxes once fell, became dents or were otherwise damaged and someone had it repaired again?

Regards,

Zilverik

[Qrt.S]

Yes Zilverik that was my statement. By "think twice" I meant that one have to evaluate the damage. A "repair" can cause more damage to it. Some old objects might be fragile. Objects in museums are not always fixed/repaired to "mint condition" but are cleaned only and left as they are, sometimes broken sometimes not.

[zilverik]

Hi Qrt.S and Zolotnik,

You are right that some repairs can cause more damage than if the object should left as it is. But where are your examples of antique silver objects on prestigues antiquefairs like the TEFAF in Maastricht or in important referencebooks about antique silver with (for example) dents? That will be very rare. A dent or a misform (by falling) in the foot is fixed. Nothing wrong with that.

Regards,

Zilverik

[Zolotnik]

Hi zilverik -
all my "spiceboxes" are in very good condition - some were more loved than others - but no repairs! My motto when collecting: better one very good example than 3 dented and scratched exemplares! If you come with the argument money: a top piece costs some more money but if you want to trade or sell, only top pieces bring their money back. Try to sell 3 dented and scratched pieces....

The extraordinary pieces you see in museums are either donated or bought for much money - for money you get everything - but that you know already.
If you are not rich on behalve of money be rich with knowledge and wisdom - you will find a lot nobody else will see! For little money...

Happy hunting
Zolotnik

[zilverik]

Hi Zolotnik,

I admire your patience. It takes strenght not to buy. I must admit that I buy sometimes in an impuls. In most (but not all)cases that turns out to be wrong.

Regards,

Zilverik