HELP identify hallmarks

[Bas]

Hi, I am new to this forum and was wondering if someone could help me identify the silversmith that made this niello snuff box. I think it is Russian, but unfortunately there is no city mark, assayer mark or kokosnik mark and the hallmark in the lid and the bottom of the box are very hard to make out as you can see in the pictures. The size of the box is 95x35x25mm and weighs 103 grams. Thank you in advance for your help and expertise.

[Goldstein]

Hi -

I think it is Russian, but unfortunately there is no city mark, assayer mark or kokosnik mark

If all this marks are missing - it is not Russian made - and a deer is no Russian motif! Niello was not only made in Russia, but also in Italy, France, Germany, Austro-Hungary and the Orient for example. Without proper marks the origin is unclear - I vote for somewhere inEurope.

Goldstein

[AG2012]

Hi,
Try to find more marks, sometimes they are struck in very unusual places, the rim of the lid for example.Even this one is too small and not very clear.
Take better close up image of the mark (s).
As already said it`s not Russian
Best wishes

[Bas]

Hi,

Sorry for my late reply, but thank you for you response!

@AG2012: I have tried to take better pictures, but have not succeeded... And I checked carefully, but unfortunately there are no other marks.

@Goldstein: I thought it might have been French, because of the deer and the floral design, but there are no marks to support this either. And although unusual I have seen another Russian neillo snuff boxe with a deer portrayed on it.

Could it not have been made to order and perhaps not have passed an assayer to save costs? And if not Russian, where in Europe would you most likely say it came from?

Have a nice weekend!

Bas

[Aguest]

Dateline Belgium, 1868: Hallmarking was not compulsory like in just about every other European country I can think of. This lasted until 1942. A good possible candidate is Belgium, and also I have a Belgium fork from the late 19th century and it has a "VV" hallmark from Wolfers Freres, so it could be Belgian with the "IV" or "V" hallmark that I think I see there?

The box does appear to be continental, so Belgium is my vote, but the Niello tradition is not as strong as in Russia and Iran, so I see why you would lean towards Russia just based on the Niello design alone. But the structure of the box does speak more of Continental Europe somewhere, which is why I theorize about Belgium.

Belgium is my favorite now, I want to write a book about 1868-1942 and try to sort it all out.

[oel]

Hi,

For more information about Belgium marks period 1868-1942, the work of Wolfers Freres and marks used see;
http://www.modernsilver.com/marchupdate ... Freres.htm
Do not believe the niello box to be made by Wolfers Frères and I should call the snuff box continental perhaps Austria/Hungary.

Best,

Oel.