Snuff box with pre 1810 marks

[jonty]

For some time, I have had in my collection a silver snuff box with cast silver lid depicting a scene from the traditional tale of "The Bear and the Gardener". The only marks on the box are those stamped to the interior base, as in the accompanying image. Not being experienced in these things, I suspect that they are pre 1810 provincial marks..........but I know nothing beyond that.

Any help in giving me a fuller mark identification would be really appreciated.

Jonty

[oel]

Hi Jonty,

The pentagram and the lion rampant not within a shield are not known to be a Dutch or Belgian city guild mark used pre-1807 but the pentagram or the lion could be a maker’s mark. However you could check out Spain:
http://www.925-1000.com/foreign_marks3.html
The pentagram (1934-present)in Spain is used as a quality mark indicating a minimum of 915/1000 purity and the city of Cordoba used a rampant lion and not within a shield.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:COA_C ... _Spain.svg
For information about Dutch hallmarks used today and in the past see:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=32028

Oel.

[jonty]

Many thanks for the prompt and revealing reply. I shall follow your advice (and your links) and look farther afield.

Jonty.