Page 1 of 1

interesting silver hallmarks-continental silver?

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 12:04 pm
by the_nosferatu
Hi,i recently aquired this little silver compact,i am thinking maybe art deco period? judging by the design,but what are the hallmarks? are they english or continetal? any help would be greatly appreciated.
my thanks in advance.
Image

Image

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 1:04 pm
by dognose
Hi,

Neither.

Cooke & Kelvey of Calcutta.

The first mark is a 'C' & 'K', the second is a cobra, the third as read.

Trev.

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 2:18 pm
by the_nosferatu
Wow thankyou Trev for your insight, how on earth did you know that?? :-) it amazes me still how you manage to find out whom made what and from where! could you give me a possible indication to its age? does calcutta have an assay office with date marks and such? i am certainly piqued in my interest now, my thanks again
nosts.

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 6:42 pm
by dognose
Hi Nosts,

I should say your compact would date from 1920's/1930's period.

Calcutta had no official assay office as such (except at the Mint), nor a dating system. Silver items were brought on trust, the reputation of the silversmith would be paramount, and these pieces are usually of a high standard of silver content.

Check out: http://www.925-1000.com/AngloIndian_01.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Regards Trev.

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 4:46 am
by the_nosferatu
thankyou trev,i found that very interesting indeed and i thankyou for the link too! i do enjoy these forums,one can learn so much in a few moments about the history of silver and indeed history of the world, this will make a fabulous gift for my other half as she is barmey about antiques and silver,so i will be sure to let her know how and what i discovered and from whom about this little compact :-)

Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 4:20 pm
by dognose
Advertisment for Cooke & Kelvey.

Image

Trev.