Asking the forum's kind help to identify mark

pedro · Post by **pedro** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 3:21 pm

Dear members, this piece has been in my family for almost 40 years and I'd love to identify origin. From the marks the only 2, I can clearly read are "833" and "GP" which might mean Gold Plated as the inner piece is yellow colored. Thank you all in advance for the kind help and attention to my post. Pedro

pedro · Post by **pedro** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 4:00 pm

I'm attaching two more pics, in order to show a better view of the "kind of out-of-focus" marks from the previous post...it might give a clue to the experts...

thanks a lot, in advance, for any leads regarding this piece's origin.

pedro · Post by **pedro** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 1:49 pm

I'm posting the last two pics, and I made them very "light" in size, in order to respect the forum's bandwidth. One last lead for the members, as the piece detailed work might help to identify country of origin and approximate period.
Thank you very much...

Post by **admin** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 1:49 pm

Pedro,
It looks like you have us stumped. I don't know these marks and have never seen similar, but I do have some guesses about the origins of your piece.

The long narrow shield mark may say "Prata Ley", if so, this is Portuguese for something like "legal silver standard". Historically, the 833 standard is a legal and common standard for Portuguese silver, however the marks do not resemble those used in Portugal.

Considering Brazil's long ties, both linguistic and historical, to Portugal, I think that your piece probably originated there, sometime in the mid to late 20th century. It may be a blind alley, but I suggest you try this avenue in your outside research.

Regards, Tom

pedro · Post by **pedro** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 3:13 pm

Hi Tom...I really appreciate your kind input to my thread. I believe you are right. This piece has been around me since the early 70s...as a kid I remember having it full of walnuts at Christmas time...Portuguese silver is present in many Brazilian homes and the vast majority of pieces brought to the country are made in Portugal. Thank you very much. Pedro

Post by **admin** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 6:11 pm

Pedro,
Sorry, let me clarify. The marks are not Portuguese, I believe it was most likely made in Brazil.
Regards, Tom

pedro · Post by **pedro** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 9:18 pm

Got you Tom...thanks a lot...very interesting...I'll start my research based on your lead. I appreciate...

Pedro