Early Swedish Beaker

[dognose]

Hi,
Does anyone know the maker of this very early Swedish beaker? It is a little under 2" in height, engraved with the initials "A.J.S..U.J.P.D.", it shows signs of being parcel gilt and has the makers mark NGS along with the Swedish three crown cats paw mark.
Any help would be appreciated.



Trev.

[Hose_dk]

There are 2 possible NGS in sweden - the mark that is closed to yours is Nils Gustaf Schreij 1826-1831.
Born 1778 He is registret in Södertälje

The N is corresponding to the one in the book. But the S is nor totally corresponding. But he might have used 2 different marks. He also marked N.G.SCHREY so why not 2 different initials.

The initials are owners initials and S=søn (son) and D=datter (daughter)

[dognose]

Hi Hose_dk,
Many thanks for the swift reply, you have been most helpful,
Regards Trev.

[dognose]

Hi Hose_dk,
I forgot to ask, what would this have been used for and why would the son's and daughter's initials have been applied?
Regards Trev.

[Hose_dk]

Not son and daughter as in brother and sister.

My name is Peder therefore my son will be named Pedersson - i.e. peters son.
My name is Peder therefor a daughter of mine will be named Pedersdatter - i.e. Peders daughter.

The initials refer to a wedding probably this was given to at couple at their marrige or when they had 25 years wedding aniversery.

So the children had their fathers name adding son or dauther after.
In danish søn, in swedish son for boys. For girls in danish datter and in swedish dotter.
By this a typical name like "Carl Pedersson" he is named Carl after his grandfather and his secondname becomes Pedersson because he is the son of Peder. Now Peder would typical be named Peder Carlsson because his fathers name was Carl.
Maybe this makes more sence 3 generations:
1 generation Carl XXXXXson
2 generation Peder Carlsson
3 generation Carl Pedersson

a dauther (3 generation) would then be named Caroline Pedersdotter stille refererring to grantfather and father.
Names could also reffer to a geografical locations - a farm or a town or to the persons occupation. Thereby in later generations refferring to their parrents place of living or occupation.

Your piece is missing a date in the engraving - often the date of the wedding i also mentioned. But it is not unusual that only initials are there.

It also lacks 2 hallmarks. Year mark and city mark. The 4 marks should have been there and they usualy are, but once you get to small places the crown (king) could not controle. The person makin these marks was the "stämpelrådman" but in small tows often there was only 1 or 2 silversmits so they didnt follow regulations 100% But still they have set the katfott (control hallmark of silver)
In Stockholm this would never have happened.

In Denmark we also had 4 marks. 1 silversmith, 2 city mark(including year), 3 month mark and 4 guardein. This was only carried out in Copenhagen. In other towns the same regulations was in effekt (but not in practice) Therefor you often only find 1 mark for the silversmith perhaps 1 for citymark but often only one mark. Copenhagen silver was consideres better - therefor some put 2xsilversmith and 2xcity mark - so their silver also contained 4 marks.
I also have some silver where guardein (controlling the silver) is the same person as the silversmith. He then added 2 different marks - one as the maker and another (different) mark as guardein.

[Hose_dk]

This is a norwegian piece

4 marks from top
City: Christiania (today Oslo)
Guardein: P over 98 - saying that this is 1798 and P for Peter Petersen (as guardein)
PP in a square: Peter Petersen (now the same man is the silversmith)
Monthmark Aquarius: January 21st until February 18th

[dognose]

Hi Hose_dk,
Thank you for an excellent explanation.
Regards Trev.