www.925-1000.com

This fork was part of a lot of silver and silver-plate cutlery, bought in England, 15 years ago.

There are only two hallmarks (possibly three). The first is the Roman numerals II with a kind of crown on top of it. Underneath, there is a Fleur de Lys (I do not know if it is part of the same hallmark or is separate). Finally, there is a capital letter B. The left side of the hallmark(s) seems to be cut/rubbed off very slightly.

I'd be grateful if anyone could provide any kind of information; country of origin, approx. date, maker...

Thanks.


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Just curious, how long is the fork? It looks like a very nice and unusual Elizabethan piece, but there are folks on this site that can definitely steer you right (correctly) about that.
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It's 16.5cm long (6.5 inches). Between the two outside prongs, it is 1.4 to 1.9cm (0.6 to 0.7 inches). Hope this can help!
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Actually I’m without a sounded clue on this 3 prongs fork

Hello

It’s difficult to give you yet a sounded clue. I’m in this case like you — I’ve also more questions then answers.

In »Modern time« of mankind, at least since Leifur Eiríksson, exist the problem of »souvenirs« and their origin — it seems to me clear, that your 3-prongs fork isn’t British?

In past time it wasn’t usual to use forks — this came up in Italy. I think, for that reason, the South-North-Corridor of forks is maybe a few hundred kilometres wide only.

I imagine that the fork is made in the period of 1650 to 1750.

But in that period, in many European countries and regions are most times already more then two punches in use; at least e.g. a national or town mark, a tax mark, and maker’s mark.

So, which countries and regions remain over, which hasn’t had more then two punches in use?

Well, of course France itself before tax regulations, and their punches = until 1672. In 1679 the dimensions of town marks were fixed in France: 4.5 mm height, 3 mm wide.

Towns and regions East of France — from the Northern Sea until Italy:

That could be especially towns of prosperous economy, or capitals of duchies, and capitals of bishoprics.

In Flanders, the town marks are changed in their design in differing periods. For the area of The Netherlands must be hold in mind the additional date letter punch (maybe not on little items?).

An interesting report from Christophe Ginter, on a 3-prongs fork, made between 1660 and 1667 in bishops town Autun, Burgundy:

http://www.ascasonline.org/articoloOTTOB118ING.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Well, Burgundy is one of the cultural areas, where it was possible to introduce forks — 3-prongs forks.

The eldest one in my collection is a 2-prongs fork from Augsburg 1635-1655.

A part of Flanders of that time of the 3-prongs fork was governed by Spanish Habsburg, then after by Austrian Habsburg.

Its maybe interesting to, that during an archaeological research, begin of this century in the area of the Old Cathedral and Bishops Palace of Cádiz, Spain was also found a silver 3-prongs fork from mid XVII century.

But the Cádiz one is not so smooth worked out as your fork. This fork, seems to me, is made from a well experienced cutlery maker. Italy?

But what says the possible town mark itself? (Shown photo must for interpretation be placed 90 º clockwise.)

It seems to me that the cartouche is of a very complex shield form; here visible is only the left part of the right half.

I “see” in the middle a kind of a tower, with a base entrance and first floor window = maybe the tower is a town’s port with a broad entrance, and two windows on first floor?

Right side is a Roman cipher I, or a letter I? But what is then as equivalent on left side of the tower? If it is a Spanish fork, maybe a Roman cipher X = together an indication of »XI dinero« fineness = 916.6-1,000.

It’s not a Portuguese fork = neither of the Portuguese town marks is equal; also only very few used some times architectural items in their mark. Fineness marks were separately.

Makers mark seems to be the singular capital antique letter B in a top flat shield cartouche.

It was in the time in question often usual, to place only the first letter of a name; most times that from the family’s name. These marks signification was only, to have an indication of the maker, in case of an actual fraud.

»925-1000« and collectors curiosity’ was unknown.

Kind regards silverport
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I just realized that I had said Elizabethan era in my previous post. Well, I meant Hanoverian period. The "B" looks like a date letter that might be found in the early Hanoverian period on English silver, and the style of the fork is correct for that time. Unfortunately, I really don't have the expertise that you need for a proper identification.
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Thank you to silverport for all the conjectures. Very interesting.
Silverly: If it was Hanoverian, and from London, that would mean 1717 (the date hallmark seems to correspond).
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Hi,

Welcome to the Forum.

I'm sorry, I thought I had replied to your post earlier.

I believe your fork was made by Samuel Hitchcock in, as you have noted, in 1717. At this time it would have been made in the Britannia standard (958/1000). The mark is 'HI' above a fleur de lys (Grimwade 1016), it originally would have had two other marks, the Lion's Head erased and the seated figure of Britannia.

Hichcock became Free in 1707 and entered his first mark in 1713.

Trev.
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Great, thanks a lot! Really makes sense.
Thanks also for the welcome to the forum, I'll try and help out with my limited knowledge.
Yottie
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Oh the poor British assayers, in their “cell” of some square millimetre only!

Hello

I see, I’ve to learn a lot — already now, ancient British assayers have my full comprehension for their very difficult working circumstances; to be client, and law oriented as well.

Strike on inside bowl, as the French do = forbidden; because the spoon must be a century or two later remoulded, to be then after a precious »berry spoon«!

Strike on outside bowl = forbidden too; because the spoon must be getting there a decorative, relief sculptured »rattail« area!

Strike on stems reverse finial = forbidden; because there must be space of a wealthy monogram!

Strike on stems obverse finial = forbidden too; because there must be space of a wealthy crest!

Strike on stems obverse = forbidden area; because there must be shown an overwhelming pattern!

Strike on stems reverse = a few square millimetres may be used by grace, but only if necessary; because otherwise the obverse shown wealthy pattern couldn’t be repeated!

»925-1000« and collectors curiosity’ was then totally unknown.

»Hitchcock« mysteries are here too?

Thanks »dognose« Trevor these mystery marks are cleared yet.

Kind regards silverport
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