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A lot is going on on this silver figural spoon who can help with the hallmarks?
The boat on top is probably of later date and has got a hallmark with Minerva on its sail and hallmark 34 on the boat.


Than on the spoon is a hallmark which I read as “ G”

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/8472/pa23001511500.jpg
And these 3 hallmarks:
http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/9576 ... 211500.jpg
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/6863/pa23001411500.jpg
(admin photo edit - images too large - link only - see Posting Requirements )


Who can help indentify these?

Hi Bert,

The photo of the sail I can not enhance and there for not clear.
The photo of the ‘G’ shows actually the Gothic date letter Q for the year 1900.
The photo; crowned E and crowned lion rampant are bogus marks.
The last photo showing lion passant above 2; standard mark for silver of 833 fineness, mark used 1814-1953.
If you could show us a clear photo of the other marks, on the sail, we might be able to determine the maker of the spoon.

Regards,

Oel

Hi Bert,

Little correction. Actually I hate those Gothic Dutch date letters; the Gothic letters are always up for multiple possibilities, especially if the date letter has been struck a little poorly. Like on your spoon the date letter could also be the Gothic O for the year 1898. Please use your own judgment and imagination.

Regards,

Oel

I tried to make a picture of the Minerva head on the sail, but the mast is just in front of the hallmark, and I can’t get my camera to focus. Here is the result.
The spoon looks 18th century, the boat is clearly put on at a later date.

Hi Bert,

Your spoon carries Dutch hallmarks and not unusual for silver before the year 1953, the marks are spread over the spoon. As from 1953 the English marking system is followed; all marks close together.
The hallmarks and date letter clearly state late 19th century, turn 19th century.
The crowned E and the Lion Rampant; raising his wrong foreleg to be a genuine 18th century Guild standard mark, are both pseudo marks. Pseudo marks put on to impress and perhaps to mislead. In the late 19th and early 20th there has been a huge demand for old, antique silver and many replicas were made. Your spoon is a nice example of this practice and a replica of a Dutch silver commemorative spoon.
The makers’ mark is on your 3rd photo, the square with the 34 figure in it, which most probably should read; AB above 34 for; Alte de Groot Boersma, located in Sneek and registered during 1875-1909.

Regards,

Oel

Thanks for this information. I looked at http://www.zilverkeuren.nl" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and indeed it should read AB 34.