Amsterdam hallmark and maker

[Heidi]

Can anybody identify these Amstardam marks? Thanks for your help.
Regards
Heidi

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51275402@N03/11100108794/

[oel]

Hi Heidi,

Those marks are pseudo marks, to pretend the miniature has been made in Amsterdam in the 17-18th century, actually the miniature is made in the 20th century, the maker’s mark looks like H2H in a rectangle with cut corners for; Hendrik Horstmanshof, registered in Amsterdam during 1889-1918. The sword mark is the standard mark (833) for small objects.

Oel.

[Heidi]

Thank you Oel for this useful info, but why would anybody go through this trouble while the makers mark shows the correct date?? Is the Amsterdam hallmark (crowned crosses) also "fake" or just the yearletters?

Regards
Heidi

[oel]

Hi Heidi,



Yes, we are looking at 3 pseudo marks being; pseudo Amsterdam city mark, C pseudo year letter and B pseudo masters’ mark or two double pseudo year letter.
Antique miniatures always have been in high demand and various silversmiths’s supplied the market with copies of original miniatures including the pseudo marks. The law demanded authentic assay & hallmarking in your case being; genuine makers’ mark of; Hendrik Horstmanshof and the sword mark; standard mark of fineness for small objects, struck by the assayer. The pseudo marks could be considered part of the decoration and probably struck by the silversmith or others and perhaps struck after the legal assay.
For hallmarks see:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=32028


Oel.

[Heidi]

Thanks!
Heidi