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Dear Folks,

I need assistance to ID the following for this silver box. I have reviewed the Dutch hallmarks and am puzzled. Don't know if the box is really Dutch or import as there appears to be Dutch import tax hallmarks but also multiple date letters. Again would appreciate to know:

1. Country/City of origin

2. Year of make - there appear to be 2 date letters on the piece.

3. Maker's Mark.

Thanks for your help!

Chris














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Hi,

I hope I can give you some answers. The beautiful neo-classical box is made in 1795 (date letter L) in Amsterdam by the master " I or J star L", who is unknown to me. (I don't think it is Jan Lingelaar active between 1774 and 1796, because he seems to have been using a mark with the initials IL in an oval.). I presume that the maker's mark on the bottom is the same as on the lid.

In my opinion the box must have been re-assayed of some unknown reason in 1838 (date letter capital D) and then also got the "crowned V in a shield", in Dutch belastingteken, used between 1814-1893. This mark is often seen on older items made before 1814, but I can´t say that I have come across an additional date letter.

Hope this helps,

Best regards/JAKJO
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Thank you for your reply!


The makers mark on the bottom is the SAME as on the lid. The six pointed star between the "J" and "L" makes me wonder if the smith was Jewish.

I have also found another mark on the box rim lid which is the "crowned O" mark. I understand that this may also be another tax stamp. Here is photo.


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Hi again,

The crowned three Saint Andrew´s crosses is the town mark of Amsterdam and the crowned lion is the fineness guarantee mark of .934 and the crowned "O" tells us that the box must have been reassayed in 1807 as duty free. This mark was only used in 1807 on items with old marks.

Best regards, JAKJO
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Thanks for the additional information!

Anyone else have any further information on the maker's mark?

Chris
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Hi,

It stands to be corrected, but I say that the mark "J star L" is one of at least two (the other one that I have seen is "I star L") Johannis Hermanus Logerath used between 1772 and 1809?

Best regards/JAKJO
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Hi Aranya and Jakjo,

I would say the box is made by Johannes Hermanus Logerath, working in Amsterdam from 1772 untill 1807.
Dateletter D for 1788
letter L for taxmark in 1795
letter V in shield for taxmark, items coming back on the market between 1814-1893

The crowned O on the lid looks like a fake. Lots of fakes were struck, because when an item was struck with the crowned O in 1807, you didn't have to pay taxes on the item. (it is a bit more complex, but this is the short explanation)

best regards, Maja
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Hi Maja,

Thank you for the corrections and the real expert's view on Dutch silver.

I had a slight suspicion and a feeling that the crowned "O" mark of 1807 looked different. Now, at a second look, I have found that it looks like a crowned "U" with a more intricate and royal crown.



Here is another example of the mark from the sugar sifter spoon by Johannes Schiotling.

Thanks and best regards/JAKJO
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Thank you all for the information!

As always I have thoroughly enjoyed this treasure hunt!

Best regards,

Chris
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