Help to confirm Watson Co. mark please

[adk707]

Hi, everyone,

This tall pedestal piece (who knows what it is??) seems to bear the mark for Watson Co., however I cannot find any examples of it outside of this website. Can anyone point me in the direction of deciphering the 8122 marks, as well?

Thank you in advance!!!

[dognose]

Hi,

Yes, that's a Watson mark. You don't mention the size, but I would think it a tazza or table centrepiece.

The '8122' would be an internal factory pattern/order/batch number.

See: http://www.925-1000.com/americansilver_W2.html

and: http://www.925-1000.com/ax_watson.html

Trev.

[adk707]

Thanks for the super speedy response!!
The item is 8.5" tall / about 22cm.

I forgot to ask another question about this piece. If I shake it (I don't know what possessed me to shake it) a rattling noise emanates from the base, almost as if there were tiny rocks, pebbles or coarse sand inside. Does this make sense? Would those materials have been enclosed at the time of production to weight the piece and prevent tipping?

[dognose]

Hi,

That I believe would help date the item. As it is not marked 'Weighted' or similar, then I think I'm correct in saying that it pre-dates the 1906 Stamping Act.

See this post for more details: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=36151&p=102355&hilit=weighted#p102355

and: http://www.925-1000.com/a_StampingAct1906.html

Trev.