Help with Hallmark Identification

[carolynw]

I am new to this forum and if this is not the right place to post this, please redirect me to the proper spot.
I have a fork that I just can't find the origins of. The following is what I can see on the fork.
The engravers initials are F.I.B. and Co.
To the right of the initials is a lion facing to the right.
To the left of the initials is what appears to be a number "8" in a circular stamp.
The pattern is some type of bead.
Photos are attached.

[buckler]

My guess is a 19th century silverplate manufacturer attempting to convince the gullible public that the item is sterling silver. It's certainly not an British assay mark .

[SilverSurfer]

Sorry, I can't help you re the maker's mark. However, re the question of solid silver vs. silverplate, the outer tines are quite worn, and so with a close look, it should be apparent whether the fork is plated or not (if so, there will be a distinct line visible between the silver plating and core metal, likely nickel, though you may need a magnifying glass or loupe to see clearly, depending on your eyesight). Much early silverplate was quite thick, and sometimes embossed features such as the drop pattern can be mostly worn away without exposing the base metal. But your tines are so worn that I don't believe that this is possible there. Good fortune with your research!

SS

[2209patrick]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Checked my Canadian references, but could not find your F.I.B. and Co.
(or F.J.B. & Co.) mark.

Robert Hendery's pseudo lion mark faces the other direction.


Pat.

[JAKJO]

Hi,

About a year ago, I read an answer, I suppose that it was by our esteemed contributor Blakstone. I saved the image of the fork (top left) and the answer as the name of the file. I am not able to find the original posting.

"Carl-Wilhelm Clasen suggests that this mark - with the right facing lion - is that of the German city of Jülich mid-19th century"



Since then I have found the other images on an online auction site in Germany.

Ref: Carl-Wilhelm Clasen, Rheinische Silbermarken (Rheinbach-Merzbach: CMZ, 1986)

Hope this helps,

Best regards/JAKJO

[carolynw]

Just wanted to thank everyone for the comments.

[AnneC]

I Just ran across this post and was wondering if you had anymore success in your research? I have several pieces with the exact same marking and am having no luck in finding anything more than what was posted here.

Any additional information would be greatly appreciated.