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900 Silver Letter Opener
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 5:32 pm
by NancyCaroline
Hi,
I recently purchased this Chinese motif letter opener. Mark is quite worn. No success with research. Can anyone comment? Thanks.
Nancy
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Re: 900 Silver Letter Opener
Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 11:33 pm
by davidross
Could the uppermost mark be "plata"? If so, this would mark would be from a Spanish-speaking country.
While the subject matter is undeniably Oriental, the letter opener may not be of Asian origin. The marks are not written in an Asian language, and do not look like Asian marks to me.
If an adminstrator would move this post to "Other Countries," it might generate a more satisfactory response. Sorry that I cannot be of more help.
Regards,
DR
Re: 900 Silver Letter Opener
Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 11:18 pm
by NancyCaroline
Thank you David. I think you are correct. Using Plata 900 I was able to find a few other pieces of silver marked PLATA FEBI 900. South American, possibly Chilean. Very helpful & much appreciated.
Best,
Nancy
Re: 900 Silver Letter Opener
Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 3:03 am
by davidross
Hi Nancy
I think you have solved the mystery. Thanks for sharing your results.
Do you have a sense of the age of the letter opener? The oriental figure is rendered in a late Victorian style (Mikado, Madama Butterfly, etc), but the finishing looks more mid-20th century mass-produced.
It seems that few South American marks have been identified as yet, but the indefatigable Trev (Dognose) has recently started a new thread on the topic in the Contributor's Notes.
Glad I could point you toward the right direction after all.
Cheers,
David