Chinese Translator Needed For Hallmarks on Sterling? Vase

[ConfuciusKitty]

[img]http:/flick.kr/ps/2gTPKY[/img]

Hi everyone,
I purchased this vase a few weeks ago. I am at my wits end trying to translate the Chinese Hallmark on the vase. I appears to be sterling silver and one of the markings is "silver". I would so much appreciate any help in the translation of this vase. It is beautiful, with etchings on it of a bird and twigs, stands about 12" high. Slightly bent on top as if hat been drop on its head. Outside of that, I find it a vase of beauty and would like to know what the characters mean as far as sterling silver and possibly the history and silversmith. I have a photostream at flick.com. The address to the 3 pictures of the vases is:

http:/flic.kr/ps/2gTPKY

Thank you so much for your interest and taking the time to help. It is very appreciated....:)

Confucius Kitty - Robyn

[dognose]

Hi Robyn,

Welcome to the Forum.

Try again with your images, but remember to use the preview button.

Embedded images get a far greater response than just posting a link to a gallery.

www.tinypic.com is recommended.

Trev.

[ConfuciusKitty]

Thank you Trevor for your assitance. I didn't know how to edit so I am reposting.
Hi Everyone,
I recently purchased this silver vase that I believe is sterling. The characters are all in Chinese and I have, through google translator, managed to get "pure silver" out of the characters. I hope someone can help me by translating the whole thing. It is a beautiful vase, etched with a bird and twigs. I'd love to know that it is indeed sterling silver, and perhaps there is a historical time period there. To know the history would be wonderful also. Thank you all in advance for taking the time to help! It is greatly appreciated.
Confucius Kitty
aka: Robyn :)

[AG2012]

The characters on the top stand for ``pure silver``.I suppose this is important.As for the rest, it is not easy for us in the West to understand how difficult it is to read Chinese characters (China is a vast country as you know).We are working on it - any new data will be posted here.

[AG2012]

I suppose you would like to have the rim pulled out. It sustained a serious blow or most probably fell to the ground right on the top and bent inwards.
Tie a strong rope around the neck and pull with the help of the family.It might work although it seems to be a heavy gauge silver - not an easy task.
Do not hammer; do not use any metal tool, just pull. Take care who or what is behind you.

[davidross]

The vase is Japanese, not Chinese, and is probably mid-twentieth century.

The three characters on the bottom of the vase read "Shigemitsu zo" ("Shigemitsu made by," i e, "Made by Shigemitsu.") This probably refers to Hirata Shigemitsu II (died 1970) and not to Hirata Shigemitsu I (1853-1926), who was a supplier of silver to the imperial family of Japan. Shigemitsu's works (like the vase) were also available to the general public.

Although the style of the engraving on the vase looks very traditional, pieces like this can still be found for sale in the gift sections of Japan's high-end department stores.

Cheers

David R

[ConfuciusKitty]

Dear AG and David R.,
Thank you both so much for your help! I am not sure how the vase fell, as I acquired it after the fact. I had a strong feeling it was sterling silver, so I purchased it from a consignment shop at an unreal price. I have fallen in love with it, and want to know as much as I can about it. AG, I will definately try the rope in popping it out. You are right, it is a heavy gauge silver, the vase weighs a bit over 2 lbs. I'll let you know how it turns out! David R., Thank you so much for giving me a starting point for its provenance. Japanese and Chinese characters must be similar as it matches "Pure silver" (Three of the 4 characters in the first bunch on the bottom) At least that is what I and a couple other folks have seen. Are the characters that similar? I'm off on a quest now to research the maker. Thank you both so much for taking the time to help...:)
Robyn

[davidross]

Hi Robyn

You are very welcome.

There are five characters on the underside of the vase. They read from top to bottom (as in your photo). The first two read "jungin" and mean "pure silver" in both Chinese and Japanese, but they were only adopted as a hallmark of silver purity by the Japanese. You can find more information about this mark by reading other threads in this board and also under the "Japan" section of the world hallmarks page:

http://www.925-1000.com/foreign_marks2.html

The last three characters read "Shigemitsu zo" as I already described.

I have a similarly hallmarked piece from Shigemitsu that commemorates the opening of a Tokyo hospital in 1934. I imagine your vase dates to roughly the same period.

The vase may be a higher standard than sterling. If it is 950 standard, it may be quite soft even though it is a heavy gauge. You may want to take this into consideration, as well as the fine quality of the engraving of the sparrow and pine, before attempting any restoration yourself.

Regards,

David

[davidross]

And half a year later, small wonder why this damaged vase is still looking for a new home.

What would Confucius say?