Hallmarks on Candlesticks: A bit confusing

[Larsbear]

All you hallmark sleuths: I recently found a pair of (Sabbath?) Candlesticks.

What I DO understand is: they have the second Kokoshnik mark (1906- 1926) and the silver is 84 zolotniki purity.

I can not see what city/town letter is to the left of the Maiden's head in the kokoshnik mark.

There is a also a tiny, TINY circular kokoshnik mark on the base, but, it is so small I can't see if there are any dots to indicate the town.

In place of what should be (I suspect) the town mark, seems to be a riderless horse.

I see: "M.P." as the maker's mark. (?) These are clearest photos I could achieve. Any help would be welcome.


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[Qrt.S]

Indeed confusing as well as a bit strange marking. The riderless horse as you call it has nothing to do with Russia. The maker's mark M.P. could be Mitrofan Ryndin 1886-1916 in Moscow. His silver workshop made mostly church utensils. We could call candlesticks that. If it would be Ryndin the kokoshnik mark should carry the Greek letter delta (looks like a triangle). The tiny mark on the base is a kokshnik too and punched on detachable parts. I would imagine the base being a separate/detachable but probably soldered part.
By the way the correct years for the right looking kokshnik hallmark are 1908-19(17)26.

[Zolotnik]

Hi Larsbear -
what you have are Sabbath Candlesticks from Warzaw under Russian rule (for more information see history) - very nice and authentic.
The Kokoshnik mark should have the Greek letter "jota" left of the head for Warzaw - mostly not very good readable - but one of the several ways to mark the townmark of Warzaw.
The maker of your candle sticks is the wellknown silversmith Mojzsez Prinzenthal (Mojse Princenthal) 1908-1915, Marks: M.P., Trademark: Horse, facing left
All marks are how and where they should be - nice objects! Congratulations - there are many faked Judaica objects from this time period - so be careful.
For better understanding an other mark of M.P.





Regards
Zolotnik

[Qrt.S]

Well done Zolotnik, didn't think of Warszaw.

[Larsbear]

Zolotnik,

Thank you so very much for the information on Prinzenthal. I doubt if I could have found the information by myself. It is interesting to note that not only did he use initials to identify himself, but also his use of the horse as a trademark.

Now that I know the name of the maker, I have found online a very similar pair of candlesticks with some identical elements as mine, also by Prinzenthal. Only the bases and feet are of a different design: