Help Very Rare French Putti Snuff Box Hallmark ID Needed

[InstantCash]

Hello everyone I recently came across this French Putti Snuff Box, The hallmarks have been driving me crazy I can not figure them out for the life me. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee5 ... 87/014.jpg
http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee5 ... 87/021.jpg

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

[oel]

Hi InstantCash,

Welcome to the forum.

Regarding your Not Rare and Common box Good against Evil.
My first impression pseudo French or fake marks. Let us wait and see what others say.

Regards,

Oel

[InstantCash]

Very lovely site I've used for a few years but this is my first time dabbling in this amazing untapped resource (forum) but any wat I'm rather unfamilar with french silver, could you please explain?

[oel]

Thank you very much InstantCash. You called it French silver but are unfamiliar with French silver.
Please check; http://www.925-1000.com/Ffrench_menu.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;"
and; http://www.925-1000.com/Fgerman_hanau_marks_01.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;"
My personally impression we are looking at; contemporary and fake hallmarks not Hanau but Ni Hau Ma.

Regards,

Oel

[InstantCash]

I'm familiar with French style in sterling/ flatware but unfamiliar with the hallmarks I searched the french section the hallmark look similar causing me to make a french connection and again the putti style the French are known for this. So your saying this is a chinese repro basically? No way possible this putti box has wear and age verify patina sir

regards
InstantCash

[oel]

Hi ,

Look what the cat dragged in. Your add at a famous internet auction site; Please Google; ANTIQUE FRENCH STERLING SILVER PUTTI CENTAUR HIGHLY ORNATE SNUFF BOX HALLMARKED

Price:US $ a whopping 4 figure amount!
Up for auction is Rare Antique French Sterling Silver Putti & Centaur. This antique snuff box has an amazing knee deep patina and is in excellent almost mint condition with the exception of light scratching on the bottom of the box. This box depicts a Putti & Centaur scene again there is amazing age appropriate patina on this entire box. There is NO DINGS OR DINTS TO BE FOUND ON THIS STERLING BOX. There are 2 hallmarks found on this box they are located on the bottom and read A with a stamp of a French Solider. The box stands a little under 1.5 inches and is 6 1/4 inches long and 4 1/4 inches wide box weighs 296.4 grams.
No Reserve !!!
Happy Bidding !!!
I guarantee all my items to be 100 % authentic !!!
I believe you quarantee all your items to be 100% authentic. However not with my support. I stick with my comments 100% fake. I rest my case.
Good luck!

Regards,

Oel

[InstantCash]

Listen sir I wasn't questioning the authenticity of this piece any person with knowledge would know that the wear on this piece plus patina verify the age of it and that is something china has the most hard time faking. I bought this from one of the most trusted antique dealers in Philadelphia, no way is this piece fake or a repro.

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Regards
InstntCash

[InstantCash]

Further more, if it was that common wouldn't there be a vast quantity on eBay and other auction sites? I have been in this business over 35 years and only have come across less than 3. Its an insult that you would call it fake.

[Zolotnik]

Hi InstantCash -

for a man being over 35 years in this business you should know that the person is not a Centaur (half human, half horse) but a Pan (half human,half buck) - see the Pan flute on the bottom?
So much about experience....

Regards
Zolotnik