Fake hallmarks?

[ibrusz]

Dear all,

I have recently purchased a pair of candlesticks from the States, sold as sterling silver, made by George Hunter I in 1752, London. Before shipping, I have asked the seller to take some photos of the item. I am still awaiting delivery, however, upon closer inspection of the images, I have doubts about the hallmarks.

I know that fake silver, especially those with British hallmarks, are relatively rare, but the marks are just odd - or is it just me? Also, the colour of the candlesticks and the corrosion doesn't seem like tarnish. Could it be that it is nickel-silver, with fake British hallmarks?

Let me know your thoughts.

Regards,
Avram

[SteveDWollongong]

Hi Avram,

I wouldn't be concerned about the assay marks as they appear perfectly fine to me for London 1752 and I don't see anything untoward regarding the tarnish either.

Confirming the maker is a little more difficult as I have not been able to find a confirmed positive attribution to George Hunter I to compare with. Looking closely at the slope of the letters and the chamfered corners of the cartouche of your mark, and comparing with the diagrams in Grimwade, it looks more like one of the marks belonging to George Hindmarsh.

In checking the silvermakersmarks.co.uk website, Phil has two attributions to Hindmarsh but they differ also.

I suggest you sit back and wait and see if someone can positively identify the maker.

Cheers,
Steve

[silvermakersmarks]

Welcome to the forum, Avram.

I agree with Steve that the hallmark looks OK - as far as it is possible to tell from a picture - and that the tarnish is not at all suspicious.

As far as the maker's mark goes the GH looks very like the mark of George Hindmarsh and I would have had no hesitation in attributing it to him had it not been for the fact that Hindmarsh is noted as having made virtually nothing except salvers and waiters. The version of his mark which matches most closely was registered in 1739 and a smaller, similar mark was registered in 1753, so the date is OK for him. George Hunter registered his similar mark in 1748 but, judging from the (not very good) illustration in Grimwade, the letters were not canted over as in your picture. My opinion, then, is that it could be either Hindmarsh or Hunter.

Phil

[SteveDWollongong]

Phil has picked up on the same points I found, making the attribution difficult but if pushed, I would sway towards Hindmarsh.

Steve

[AG2012]

Hi,
The style perfectly matches George II period.
Patina looks OK.
Did the seller disclose conversion to electric lamp ?
Every cloud has a silver lining;I suppose due to conversion the price (not to be discussed here) was considerably lower than for intact candlesticks, and less likely to have marks faked.
Regards