Where have the owls been hatched

[oel]

Hi,

For a few years I have in my possession a pair of silver owls with red garnet eyes salt & pepper pots. I believe the feather lines to be slightly darkened with liver of sulphur to provide a dark contrast. The inside also is darkened perhaps by the casting process, the height 7 cm / 2.76 inch weight circa 99 grams / 3.49 ounce each. Hallmarks: numeral 925 and the Dutch’s ZII mark for used/imported objects of minimum 825/1000 silver. Provenance auction Amsterdam. I do not believe the owls have been mass produced. For years have been trying to find out were the owls could have been made. I believe the owls to be continental but….










Any comment is welcome.

Oel.

[dragonflywink]

Have handled a number of owl shakers over the years, including some of similar design to yours (one with matching mustard pot and spoon), though the eyes on mine were glass - believe all in solid silver, save one, had British hallmarks spanning from mid 19th century to mid 20th; the other set was mid-late 20th century Italian. Oddly, the only pair I can recall having screw-tops similar to yours was a silverplate set, but do not recall what marks they bore, if any.

~Cheryl

[AG2012]

Dear Oel,
All I can tell they are extremely well made; I suppose lost wax technique and not simple casting in two halves and soldered together, as often seen with objects like these. At least, I cannot see any soldering seam. I may guess what you already know; most probably not Dutch overseas territories (the quality), not France (export marks), what remains is Germany — but we will never know unless we come across the same set, which is highly improbable. Just beautiful — the eyes and everything.Cheryl mentioned screw tops;another proof of excellency - several casters I happen to have are high-end Vienna early 19th century; it seems they did not bother much with screw tops later.

[oel]

Dear Cheryl & Ag2012,

Thanks very much for your comment. Yes, lost wax technique might have been applied. The owls are the favorites of my granddaughters and both never ask for any information. We will enjoy them as they are.

Best,

Oel.