What Maker was FM?

questingmoose · Post by **questingmoose** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 11:16 pm

I have a coffeepot, teapot and creamer that bear what I believe to be maker's mark of FM, along with duty mark, city mark, and sterling mark.
Could you confirm the maker and approximate date of the teapot?

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buckler · Post by **buckler** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 7:20 am

I can find no F*M in Grimwade although your mark is very clear .
The assay and duty marks are not so clear and I wonder if these are actually pseudo marks from a colonial maker . Although purporting to be 1785 - 1821 period they seem slightly wrong
But I'm no good on holloware !
We need to wait till Trev gets back !
I presume the marks shown are on the bottom of the pot. Are there any others on the lid, handle or even spout ?
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MCB · Post by **MCB** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 9:22 am

Hello and welcome to the forum.
The Grimwade book mentioned covers London. UK provincial offices also used the leopard head in addition to their own town mark and for completeness, in case the town mark has been missed as sometimes happened, I've checked my records of known maker's marks for all offices for the period the other marks on the pot suggest and again no trace of the F*M mark.
There should also be marks on the creamer, the other pot and lid you mention. Are all of these identical to the one shown? If not images of them could be useful.
Mike
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Post by **admin** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 11:07 am

Congratulations, nice find. The set is by Frederick Marquand of New York and Savannah, Georgia. This particular grouping of marks is illustrated in the appendix to Cutten's "Silversmiths of Georgia" and is probably one of the most convincing sets of American pseudo-British hallmarks. Pieces would date to circa 1825.

Regards, Tom
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silverly · Post by **silverly** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 11:11 am

Terrific images of a beautiful piece of silver. I am in awe of your find.
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MCB · Post by **MCB** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 2:34 pm

Hello Tom,

Glad to see we were right to be concerned about these marks on this side of the pond. They really are rather convincing.
Do you happen to know if this maker ever fell foul of London Goldsmiths Hall?
Happy New Year.
Mike
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Post by **admin** » Thu Dec 31, 2009 1:19 pm

Hi MCB,
I've no idea whether it has happened, but it would not surprise me. British expats and foreign office types seem fond of returning from their travels with examples of the local silver. Frankly, thanks to this post:
http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17263" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
the whole idea gives me the willies!

Happy New Year,
Tom
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wev · Post by **wev** » Thu Dec 31, 2009 6:10 pm

Especially so, since their blindered view of history may have led them to deface an early and valuable piece of Kentucky silver (see my reply to the previous post)
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questingmoose · Post by **questingmoose** » Sat Jan 09, 2010 8:38 am

Gentlemen,
I found a tea set at the live auctioneer site.

The handles appear identical except that mine has ivory separators and two of the bands with gadrooning appear identical.
I cannot make out the images of the hallmarks.
Your thoughts?
Mike
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What Maker was FM?

What Maker was FM?

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