Cigarette case. Marked with "FB".. London hallmark?

[pajarista]

I inherited a silver cigarette case marked with small "FB" on both inside plates. Wander who might be the maker...



As far I only find (hint) that this might be "Frederick Brasted..." ?? Am I right or am I wrong?

[AG2012]

Hi,
It was made in Austria-Hungary Empire.
The marks are very small but one of them (on the left) looks like Diana head for .900 standard.
Take a look here:
http://www.925-1000.com/Faustria_02.html
Besides, the inscription is in Hungarian.
If you identify assay office letter in the mark we might narrow the search for the maker.
Regards

[silverfan]

Maker's mark FB could stand for Franz Bibus, Mährisch-Trübau. Look if within the Diana mark there is A2 for the Assay Office Mährisch-Trübau.
Regards silverfan

[Aguest]

The black color on the Cigarette Case is not tarnish, it is another layer of metals known as "Niello."

Here is the definition of Niello:

a black compound of sulfur with silver, lead, or copper, used for filling in engraved designs in silver or other metals.

I cannot recall seeing another Austro-Hungarian silver object with such extensive and very good Niello design, very nice cigarette case.

[Goldstein]

Hi Aguest -

Austro -Hungarian cigarette cases in niello are not very rare and you can find them often. Here some examples:





Regards
Goldstein