Dutch hallmarks?

[bert070967]

A lot is going on on this silver figural spoon who can help with the hallmarks?
The boat on top is probably of later date and has got a hallmark with Minerva on its sail and hallmark 34 on the boat.


Than on the spoon is a hallmark which I read as “ G”

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/8472/pa23001511500.jpg
And these 3 hallmarks:
http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/9576/pa23001211500.jpg
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/6863/pa23001411500.jpg
(admin photo edit - images too large - link only - see Posting Requirements )


Who can help indentify these?

[oel]

Hi Bert,

The photo of the sail I can not enhance and there for not clear.
The photo of the ‘G’ shows actually the Gothic date letter Q for the year 1900.
The photo; crowned E and crowned lion rampant are bogus marks.
The last photo showing lion passant above 2; standard mark for silver of 833 fineness, mark used 1814-1953.
If you could show us a clear photo of the other marks, on the sail, we might be able to determine the maker of the spoon.

Regards,

Oel

[oel]

Hi Bert,

Little correction. Actually I hate those Gothic Dutch date letters; the Gothic letters are always up for multiple possibilities, especially if the date letter has been struck a little poorly. Like on your spoon the date letter could also be the Gothic O for the year 1898. Please use your own judgment and imagination.

Regards,

Oel

[bert070967]

I tried to make a picture of the Minerva head on the sail, but the mast is just in front of the hallmark, and I can’t get my camera to focus. Here is the result.
The spoon looks 18th century, the boat is clearly put on at a later date.

[oel]

Hi Bert,

Your spoon carries Dutch hallmarks and not unusual for silver before the year 1953, the marks are spread over the spoon. As from 1953 the English marking system is followed; all marks close together.
The hallmarks and date letter clearly state late 19th century, turn 19th century.
The crowned E and the Lion Rampant; raising his wrong foreleg to be a genuine 18th century Guild standard mark, are both pseudo marks. Pseudo marks put on to impress and perhaps to mislead. In the late 19th and early 20th there has been a huge demand for old, antique silver and many replicas were made. Your spoon is a nice example of this practice and a replica of a Dutch silver commemorative spoon.
The makers’ mark is on your 3rd photo, the square with the 34 figure in it, which most probably should read; AB above 34 for; Alte de Groot Boersma, located in Sneek and registered during 1875-1909.

Regards,

Oel

[bert070967]

Thanks for this information. I looked at www.zilverkeuren.nl and indeed it should read AB 34.