Dutch makers mark B&7?

[WarrenKundis]

This Dutch demitasse spoon has approximately six marks, the most challenging of which appears to be a makers mark B&7. It's followed by 830 in rectangular cartouche, HOLLAND, a partial mark that first appeared to be a lion passant, then sword overstruck by a key export mark in the bowl.

[WarrenKundis]

[WarrenKundis]

This has become a complete mystery. Your thoughts on all of these marks in whole or in part would be of value to me.

Warren

[oel]

Hi Warren, great images!

The sword (used1814-1905) and 2nd sword mark used 1906-1953. Standard mark for; small work silver minimum 833 fineness= 83.3% pure silver and used on small work without date letter and office mark and in combination with maker’s mark. Conjoined with the export key, mark to indicate 2/3 marking duty restitution upon export (used 1853-1953).
B&7 without cartouche not a maker’s mark but rather more an importers mark and unknown to me.
The maker’s mark, although de-formed, appears to be one of the maker’s mark used by; Hooijkaas Schoonhovensche Zilverfabriek; *HH* or *H.H+ or *HH+, in a rectangle with cut corners, used between around 1943-1953
For more info see: http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=28590


Oel.

[WarrenKundis]

Oel thank you so much for taking the time to walk through them all. Makes each thread a more complete resource for those of us with limited knowledge. Pulling all of this information does lead me to believe that this spoon was possibly created around a 1940s 1950s timeframe.

B&7 as a possible import mark, had noticed what I believed to be similar marks on Finish work. Let's see of someone recognizes this particular combination.

Thanks again!
Warren

[dragonflywink]

Suspect the 'B&7' is more likely a poorly struck 'B&Z' of New York importer Buchholz & Zelt, also wonder if the fineness mark might be '930' rather than '830', which would be under Dutch standard...

~Cheryl

[WarrenKundis]

Thank you Cheryl, will follow up on that importer. Tried to crop and enlarge that image of what appears to be 830 without success. Will clean and reshoot when I get home. Just as a reference does appear to be an 8.

Warren

[WarrenKundis]

Yes Cheryl I can now see that in that particular Buchholz & Zelt NY mark as B.&Z. where it is slightly tilting to the right which cut off the bottom of the Z.

And Oel the *H.H* of H. Hooijkaas b.v. Schoonhovensche Zilverfabriek as your particilar example shows with a key import mark between the a lion passant 2 and the HH which may explain the circle on the right of the mark here.

Thanks again
W

[oel]

Hi Warren,

Do not believe the ‘circle ‘ in the makers ‘mark has anything to do with the export key, just a poorly struck worn out maker’s mark of *HH* or Schoonhovensche silver factory.
The 830 in rectangle is not an official Dutch (hall) mark and struck by the importer who used it for European import; Scandinavia, German & Dutch and/or other lower grade silver, or below sterling.

Oel.

[WarrenKundis]

Oh yes I see what you mean on the makers mark. The H in holland is also almost completely worn away.

Looking other examples of the wares that Buchholz & Zelt distributed on Bonhams site, they imported work of considerable quality. Despite St Mathews general condition he's in some very good company.

My best
W

[dragonflywink]

Perhaps just my own perception on seeing a possible '930', probably from running across so many similar marks over the years, on Dutch pieces intended for the American and British market (though have seen '830' too)...

~Cheryl