Identify marks on a cream pitcher

[chamberlin]

Can anyone help identify the marks on this pitcher (it seems to be a cream or milk pitcher). It is about 15 cm. in height. Because of my wife's ancestors, we think it must be either German or French (or Swiss?), though they traveled extensively in all of northern Europe from 1830 - 1860. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I was looking on various sites, and I am wondering if the "N" indicates Nuremberg? (though it could also be a "Z"). Thanks!

[Theoderich]

it is Zürich


Hans Rudolf (I) 1773-1808
Johann J. Rordorf 1807-1825
Johann Rudolf Rordorf (II) 1807-1854
Johann Rudolf Rordorf(III) 1837-1899

[chamberlin]

Thank you so much. So it seems that the one symbol is actually a " Z" For Zurich and not an " N ". This is very possible because my wife's family is Swiss, even originally from Zurich area.
Is there any way of knowing by the style of the pitcher, or the handle, a more precise year it was made?

[blakstone]

The "Z" city mark was officially replaced by the Zurich city arms in 1779, but it is known that this new regulation was not strictly followed and that the "Z" mark was used into the 1780s and perhaps even later. This fact, and the general style of the pitcher, suggest a last quarter 18th century date, and therefore a likely attribution to Hans Rudolf Rordorf I (1746-1808), Master 1773. I wonder, though, if the handle is original . . . it seems a little odd to me.

[chamberlin]

Thank you Blakstone. We greatly appreciate your information. It is wonderful for my wife's family to know that the pitcher was made in Zurich at such an early date.

Could you (or someone else) explain why the handle is maybe not original? Is it the shape? Can you make a guess when the handle was placed on this pitcher, if it is not original?

Thanks!

[Joerg]

Let me explain my opinion on the handle.
I agree with Blackstone this is odd. Looks like in a later date this handle was added. I feel it is a handle from a larger object, (tea or coffee pot) which was shortened on the bottom side and mounted with this strange screw. I do not think the original handle was mounted with this screw.
See in the Picture my Areas of concern.

Regards

Jörg



If you like, you could do some CSI on the screw and nut. Measure the screw, decide what tread it is (American, metric or non Standard). If successful you can determine at least if the mounting was done in Europe or America. And if it is an older or newer type of screw. But .... :-)

[chamberlin]

Thanks Joerg for all of the information and time you took to explain.

Without doubt the pitcher has only been in Switzerland / between Schaffhausen area and Basel. So any mounting had to be done there. Also, I am 100% sure that nothing has been done to this object for at least 50 years , and probably much longer.

Any more thoughts from anyone?

(admin edit - see Posting Requirements )

Thanks!

[chamberlin]

I cannot find any other marks on this object. How can I know if the fineness of the silver is 950/1000 or 800/1000?