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This soup tureen measures 9 1/2" tall. There is no apparent maker's mark; however there is a unique emblem coat of arms on the lid. It tested positive for sterling, but no body believes me because there is no sterling mark. I would like to find out where this item came from and its history.

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Dear alratner

To identify the coat of arms you should post the pictures on a website specialized in heraldic topics. The you should post the information from what country, region the coat of arms are here in this forum.

However, do you have an idea of the country or region of origin as a start?
And, I have doubts that such a large piece is produced in sterling without the slightest mark. Looking at the design of the handles I have problems to belive someone produces such heavy handles in sterling, and then is not making any mark. My experience is unmarked large items are always silverplate. Keep in mind that the surface of any silverplated item tests "sterling". To make a valid test you have to go to the base material.
Also, many silverplated items have very small and very fine stamped makers mark. Search again on the bottom, towards the rim, for a very fine small mark, maybe not more than 2mm high.

Good luck

Jörg

Soup tureen with Coat of Arms — »Hotel ware« of West European production.

Hello »alratner«

Welcome to the Forum.

I saw in the past night your question; but I was already so tired, that I couldn’t make the research and write an answer.

As »Joerg« has already adviced on the search for the »Coat of Arms«: It would be more successful for you, if you place this special question in a Heraldic Forum.

For me it seems that the shown Coat of Arms is maybe of German origin? Well in Heraldic Forum, there are also contributors who understand English; so there aren’t obstacles for a more sounded research and outcome.

But now let’s look to the tureen itself:

As »Joerg« already has mentioned too, it’s very uncommon that such a kind of big item isn’t marked; especially if it’s made from precious basic material. So his advice to you is: Search with a magnifying glass to find punches.

Please do that by from the side striking light, for relief of light and shadow — and more important: On a safe place, where the tureen couldn’t fall down; because researches with a magnifying glass need both, light and a semi fixed position of the item (if it is big, like yours).

You don’t give any dimensions of the soup tureen — it’s for a single person only, for a family, or a bigger group?

I cite from a German producers catalogue; also I cite the gram of Silver be used for to be plated, if the basic material is e.g. Nickel Silver:

(Model number, Contents in litres, Silver in gram)

2878/1, 0.45 l, 28 g;
2878/2, 0.7 l, 32 g;
2878/3, 1 l, 36 g;
2878/4, 1.5 l, 45 g;
2878/6, 2 1/8 l, 60 g;
2878/8, 2 3/4 l, 70 g;
2878/10, 3 1/2 l, 80 g;
2878/12, 4 1/4 l, 95 g;

(The cited model »2878« is almost similar to yours soup tureen — except the bowls rim, that is a “crossed” ribbon.
Source: »Sächsische Metallwaren-Fabrik August Wellner Söhne, Aue in Sachsen«, Catalogue XXXV [1914], p. 159, Model numb. 2878/1 - 2878/12.)

In Austria was the »Berndorfer Metallwaren-Fabrik Arthur Krupp A.G.« with a similar product range — so it could be, that yours soup tureen could be made also by them? »Hotel-Silver« for Gastronomy.

It isn’t sadism of us, to make you attend on several things, like the »Acid test« aren't reliable - I never have used them; now already 27 years on not.

For curiosity please read this example of an official misinterpretation: http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic ... 18&t=20336" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here you could find a brief explanation of a very good and reliable alternative, the »Hydrostatic Balance test«:

http://gemologyproject.com/wiki/index.p ... ic_Balance" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Some weeks ago there was another question in »925-1000« - I show there a calculation of weight to volume relations (please scroll down to the end):

http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic ... 26&t=16597" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Kind regards silverport

Jörg and Silverport,

Thank you for your kind replies. I looked around the piece many times under different shades of light. I never found any marks of origin. There are few places with scratches, and it seems as if someone was trying to erase the history of this item. I made a deep scratch to test it for silver and it tested positive. I will forward this request to Heraldic Topics. I appreciate all your help.

Best regards,
Al