Please help with identifying hallmark, thanks

[kevalie]

Please help with identifying hallmark, the object looks like a flask but I couldn't be certain, it's 18 cm in height and weight 183g. It looks like it's from middle east but again I am not certain, appreciated the help.

[dognose]

Hi,

To me it appears Indian in origin. Can you post a sharp close up of the marks, or make out what the letters are in the quartefoil mark?

Trev.

[kevalie]

Unfortunately I am still waiting for the item to arrive I wouldn't be able to provide a close up of the marks until then. Are you able to make out whether it's silver, silver plated or something else entirely, thanks.

[dognose]

I would be surprised if it was anything but silver. The 'T 90' would have been an indicator of the silver quality, thought to have been based on the Tola weight system.

As for the quartefoil mark, although this may be the mark of the manufacturing silversmith, they were more often the mark applied by the retailing Indian merchant, of whom many had branches not only in India, but throughout the East.

We look forward to seeing some sharper images of the marks.

Trev.

[kevalie]

Received the item and took a couple of clearer photos of the hallmarks, I couldn't make of the hallmark in the middle and upon closer inspection it looks like it has been deliberately scratched.





The top cap of the flask has been sealed and is now unable to open, do anyone have any idea why they would do that?

[amena]

Hi kevalie
The picture you've posted, it leaves room for doubt.
The thickness of the base, the hallmark deliberately scratched and the white spot ....
If one day you decide to test the flask, can you let us know the result?
Thanks in advance
Amena

[kevalie]

HI finally got it tested and it turns out to be 85-90% silver, reason being that different parts come up with different readings. It is definitely silver and now the questions are, why one of the hallmark is deliberately scratched and why it is sealed. Maybe it have to be local tradition, would be a great help if someone can tell me where it is from.

[dognose]

Hi,

The findings of 85-90% purity fit in nicely with the likely source of the raw material used for the manufacture of the piece. The main source for the supply of silver used in that part of the world would have been the Indian Rupee coin which was minted using 900/1000 silver.

Trev.

[amena]

Hi kevalie
Thanks for information.
You know, sometime I'm a little too mistrustsful.
Congratulations
Amena

[kevalie]

Does anyone know what the hallmark stand for, and why part of it was it deliberately scratched.

[dognose]

Hi,

These marks are not hallmarks. Hallmarks are struck by an official body following a successful assay, what you have are marks stuck by the maker/retailer. The reason why one mark is defaced is most likely because it was the first mark stuck on the piece, and then it passed into the hands of another, likely that of the owner of the quatrefoil mark, who was perhaps a competitor, and thus did not want to promote the name of the original marker.

Trev.

[kevalie]

thanks dognose, do you have any idea of the age or the origin?