Russian Silver Alexander Tillander Mirror with Crest

[cwebb86]

Dear Forum Members,
This is a silver hand mirror with a monogram/crest engraved on the handle that I inherited from my Mother. The mirror was purchased in an antique shop years ago by my Mother, along with a matching hallmarked silver picture frame (posted on this site separately.) The hand mirror is about 10” long, 4 ½” wide, and ½” deep. The old beveled glass mirror might be original. The back of the hand mirror is silver, and may have once had a cover of fabric or another decorative material. There are four small screws along the sides of the mirror. I have never tried to take the mirror apart. (I doubt if I could take it apart without damaging the piece. The screw heads are worn.) There may be touch marks inside. There are no touch marks visible on the outside. Thanks so much for any information you can give me. Mary Jane Webb




(admin photo edit - images too large - link only - see Posting Requirements )

[Qrt.S]

Without any marks it is close to "mission impossible". Anyway, you mention Alexander Tillander in your headline. Where from did you get that name? Why do you think it is Russian?

[cwebb86]

HI-The mirror was purchased together as a set with a matching picture frame that does have hallmarks. The frame and a picture of the hallmarks are listed in a separate posting on this site. I do realize that I can't be completely sure that the two pieces go together, but I would bet that they do. If you have a minute, please take a look at the pictures of the frame and tell me what you think. Thanks.

[dognose]

Hi Mary Jane,

If you can post some correctly sized images (max. width 7") it may help as many people will not click on links.

Trev.

[Qrt.S]

I'm very sorry but I cannot see a single hallmark or any mark at all on any of your pictures.

[dognose]

Hi Qrt.S,

It's here: http://925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=40929

Trev.

[Qrt.S]

How in the earth could I look for it there???? By the way the assayer on the photo frame is not Savinsky but Vladimir Stepanovich Smirnoff 1866-1871 in St Petersburg. Neither Veniamin nor Victor Savinsky assayed ever in St P. About the this mirror. You cannot draw the conclusion that it is made by the same master. I cannot recall that Alexander Tillander would have left anything he made unmarked with his marks. An unmarked object is always a risk. In former Russia not a single silver object could be sold without a masters' marks or a hallmark.

[cwebb86]

Hi,
Sorry-I plead ignorance! We have not done a post for many years, and when I hit preview, all of the pictures seemed to show up fine. We are in the process of trying to re-size the images.
My Mother told that me that the hand mirror and the frame went together, but I realize that this is not reliable information. She referred to the monogram on the mirror handle (she thought the monogram was a coat-of-arms) in the note that she wrote on the back of the picture frame many years ago. The two pieces do in fact seem to match one another, and although they are old and worn, the high quality of both items is amazing. The hand mirror is made to come apart with tiny silver screws. Could hallmarks be on the inside of the mirror? I will never know, because I do not have the expertise to take the mirror apart. Thank you very much for giving me the correct name of the assay master. I am no expert, and I am very happy to learn more about these pieces. Regards, Mary Jane

[cwebb86]

Here are resized images - sorry for the inconvenience of the links:

[Qrt.S]

All marks must be visible. Therefore they cannot be hidden inside the mirror. Since there are no marks, the mirror in unlikely made in Russia. I also think it is a monogram but unfortunately I'm unable to decipher it.

[dognose]

Hi Mary Jane,

I'll move the topic to the 'Family Crests' section to see if we have any luck there.

Trev.

[JayT]

This is a coronet of a princely family over a fancy monogram, maybe with a T? Unless you have good provenance for your mirror, I don't think you'll find the name of the original owner because there is no family crest, just the coronet indicating noble rank. In other words the mirror belonged to Prince or Princess last name beginning with a (T?), full name and from what country unknown.

You might consider taking this object to a silversmith if you're reluctant to take it apart yourself to look for marks.

Good luck in your research!

[cwebb86]

Thank you so much for the information. I have spent hours and hours online trying to find a similar monogram. I have also searched for a hand mirror that is similar to this one, ( a ball and ring finial for hanging, plus small silver screws along the sides that hold the piece together.) I am really reluctant to take the piece apart-but I am also very curious! I do know of a good silversmith, and I may enlist his help.
Thanks,
Mary Jane

[JayT]

Please do let us know what you find.