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The next item I hope someone can help with is this miniature kettle,
It's 2,5cm high and has a diameter of 3,7cm at the widest. It weighs about 20grams.

On the bottom are three marks; the city mark of Amsterdam and a letter that appears to be a capital L and a third mark I pressume to be the makers mark.
On the rim of the kettle is a 4th mark; an axe.
Any help as to dating and identifying the maker, will be much appreciated.
Thanks!

Hi again,

Yes, Amsterdam 2nd standard of silver or ‘kleine keur’ for .833 fineness. The date letter L could be for 1745,1770 or 1788 and the maker’s mark could confirm the date. I believe, I have the heart shaped maker’s mark in my files but I have no access to my library at the moment and next week I will be able to tell you more.
For the French axe or hatchet see:
http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=32028
The hatchet, duty mark for old silver objects of national origin returned to the trade. In accordance with several resolutions with further clarifications, this mark was intended for objects with the hallmarks of the ancient Netherlands silversmiths’ companies ….The use of this mark was abolished in 1927 for two reasons:1st . The lack of knowledge of the old marks has caused this mark to be sometimes struck on old foreign objects. 2nd. this mark had often been counterfeited and used to give objects an antique aura. The difference with the older French ‘hatchet’ mark: The French mark was struck tax free on objects with valid hallmarks.

Oel

Hi,

The maker’s mark; horn with lint in a heart- shaped shield for; Arnoldus van Geffen 1728-1769. Arnoldus van Geffen has been a famous & productive miniature toy maker, until his dead in 1769. This miniature he made in 1745 ( date letter L). I believe it looks like the lid of the kettle is missing. A notice of warning; the mark of Arnoldus van Geffen is often faked but to me your maker’s mark looks original.


Oel

Thanks for the speedy reply!
The lid is indeed missing, I found it at a local flea market in a junk box full of those brass and copper miniatures people used to collect and display in tiny cabinets during the 60's and 70's, and this one caught my eye.
Damn, I'm a bit mad at myself for not turning that box inside out!!!! Maybe I overlooked the missing lid!

But anyway, this one is upgraded to a better position in my cabinet :-)

Many thanks!