Silver[plate?] marks - need help (of course)

[djlewis44]

Hi, I bought this inkwell decades ago and am now trying to identify all I can about it. I have a feeling it's silverplate over brass but don't know. I've looked at all of the marks and haven't found the ones that seem to apply. (except the E.G but the company doesn't seem correct for this piece.)
It is approximately 2.25" tall and 2.25 inches in diameter not including the feet. It weighs 150 grams.
Any info would be useful and appreciated.

I have sharpened the images of the marks on the inside lip. I have no idea if the marks on the outside lip mean anything.
Many thanks for your help!
Deb

[amena]

The two marks on the outside lip have the outline of the French tete de sanglier. If they are those, then the object is at least 800/1000 silver and French.

I can't say more
Regards
Amena

[bijoux.expert]

The hallmarks are not French and while the two outlines are similar to the boar's head (sanglier) hallmark, they are not quite right, and I believe they are something else.
If the object was French, it would be required to have a lozenge-shaped maker's mark, which it doesn't have, and if it came onto the French market as a second-hand object, it would receive the swan hallmark, not the boar's head

You can see the boar's head hallmark here : https://www.925-1000.com/Ffrench_marks.html

(admin edit - see Posting Requirements )

[bijoux.expert]

Follow on reply.
There is in fact a lozenge shaped maker's mark among the other non-French marks.

Even if the mark is almost certainly not French, there is always the possibility that it could be mistaken for a French mark by the assay office and in such a case, they could indeed strike the boar's head hallmark to prove that it has been tested in France and is of at least 800/1000 fineness.

[djlewis44]

This is all great information - thank you!

[djlewis44]

Are there any tricks to bring out more contrast in the marks to make them at least temporarily more readable?
Thanks!
Deb

[amena]

HI Deb
Place a drop of silver cleaning fluid on the mark.
Take a sharp wooden toothpick and gently move it inside the mark
Check what you can see and repeat the operation if necessary.
Let us know what you see
Best
Amena

[Aguest]

:::::: I want to believe it's Belgium somehow, has anyone checked Belgium late 19th century? ::::::

[oel]

No luck for Belgium.

The partly struck lozenge mark and the boar head struck twice on the inkwell's lid, because inkwell consisting of two parts, that's what makes it French to me. Domestic French silver hallmark, the boar head contained within a closely contoured frame, minimum fineness 800. This indicates assay by touchstone and that the item has a limited or restricted warranty, used 1838-1962. Can we assume that the French hallmark system occasionally made a mistake with imported silver and instead of an import mark, it struck a domestic hallmark?
Are the two letters in the partly struck lozenge EG or...?

The marks; E.G in rectangle, P in shield and 87 in circle, perhaps Portuguese transitional marks 1887? In 1887 Portugal overhauled his old hallmarking system. I am not sure and could be completely wrong.

Peter.

Source; Wold Hallmarks Volume I Europe, Hallmark Research Institute.

[bijoux.expert]

The Paris assay office would not normally strike the boar's head hallmark on foreign silverware, however if it were to mistake a foreign lozenge shaped maker's mark for a French one, it could indeed strike the boar's head instead of the swan.
But you must bear in mind that the boar's head hallmark was not only struck on new items, it was also struck as a recall or census mark on second-hand items with outdated hallmarks brought to the assay office in order to be updated. You can find this mark on 18th century objects.

Boar’s head to left in a fitted frame, for small works in at least 800/1000 silver,
and also inscribed every ten centimetres on chains, necklaces and supple bracelets.
Paris, from 10 May 1838 to 31 December 1961. On 1 January 1962 Paris adopted the
crab hallmark without an assay office mark. Note: Until 2001 and the removal of the
obligation that each second-hand work put up for sale be marked with current hallmarks,
this hallmark was used to identify old works. Owing to this, even silverware with
hallmarks from the 18th century and title 958/1000, can be found with this hallmark.

[djlewis44]

Hi All,

Sorry for the delay.
I tried cleaning the left-most mark - it still looks like E|G
Two different lights and focuses:




Thanks for all of your input!
Deb

[Aguest]

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: what about the possibility this is made of pewter? ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

[djlewis44]

Interesting question.
There was a lot of tarnish, and it doesn't respond to a strong magnet, but I'll try looking at pewter marks.
Thank you!
Deb

[oel]

Hi Deb, perhaps have it tested for silver? A good jewlershop, acid test or precious metal trader, preferely with XRF analysis device can do it. They might charge you some money for it but it provides you with a reliable answer on your question, is it silver or not. Succes and please keep us informed.

Peter.

[amena]

When I suggested cleaning the marks well, I meant those with a similar outline to the boar's head mark.
In the photo they are barely visible and it is essential to know if they are actually boar heads or something else.
I can't believe the Paris assay office accidentally put the boar's head on a pewter object.
Please, let's leave the strong magnet alone.
Regards
Amena

[zilverik]

Arminjon No 01399? Garanger Eugène. Started 29 march 1841. No garantie 3965