Dognose Spoon Marked 11L HGK 11L

[davidross]

Help please with identifying the maker, origin, and approximate date of this 11 loth dognose spoon with rococo engraving to the front of the handle. 21 cm long, 37 grams. The spoon appears to have been made from a single piece of silver, it has no rattail or drop. The three hallmarks are in a straight line only 8 mm long and read 11L HGK 11L, these letters are only 1 mm high.

Any information appreciated. Thanks in advance for your comments.

[Hose_dk]

very common pattern in Denmark and 11L marked twice is also pointing at Denmark. Og rather could point in that direction.
Patern name is "Antik rokoko" antique rococo
Time period also in time frame around 1900 onwards

[davidross]

Thanks Hose_dk for such a speedy ID on the pattern--quite logically named, too! Yes, I now see several pieces of flatware in this pattern, the majority with Danish hallmarks dated ca 1910-1925.

Still, I have a question about the 11L mark.

In my (admittedly limited) understanding, by 1900 the loth system of hallmarking ceased throughout Europe and these lower grades of silver (under 800) were discontinued, as is well known from several sources including this 925-1000 site. If this spoon is post-1900, could 11L signify something other than 11 loth? Or could this be an instance of an older form of marking on a piece of silver postdating the decimal marks legislated in the late 19th century? Or is it simply that the spoon is slightly older (ca 1890)?

Judging from the relatively cheap method of manufacture, I am certain this spoon is not of great antiquity. And it does have the tinny look and brittle feel of lower grade silver, say around 650-700, which would correspond to 11 loth.

Any additional comments would be appreciated.

Kind Regards
DR

[Hose_dk]

1....In my (admittedly limited) understanding, by 1900 the loth system of hallmarking ceased throughout Europe and these lower grades of silver (under 800) were discontinued,
2...... If this spoon is post-1900, could 11L signify something other than 11 loth?
could this be an instance of an older form of marking on a piece of silver postdating the decimal marks legislated in the late 19th century?
3......Or is it simply that the spoon is slightly older (ca 1890)?
4........And it does have the tinny look and brittle feel of lower grade silver, say around 650-700, which would correspond to 11 loth.

1. In Denmark 13½ was the standard. In 1813 Denmark went broke. The state went broke - and so the people also lost. Standard of coins was 13½lod but in this period the coin went down to as low as 4 lod. This also had effect upon the economy of everybody. Silver standard was 13½ but lover grades was accepted when proberly marked. 11 lod marked as 11 - 11L - or similar. and they marked 11l long after. the 3 towers represented 13½, so they continues with 11 showing that grade was nor 13½ but lower.
2. No
3. No - proberly not
4. yes because it is 11L

Standard waried from country to country. Germany 800 is standard, etc.

In fact i think that patern originaly came from UK. But not sure. They however would never use 11L - we are in scandinavia, gernany or around.

[davidross]

Many thanks Hose_dk for providing such a useful description of early 20th century Danish hallmarking, which is certainly much more complicated than I had surmised from both this site and other sources.

Cheers
DR