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Hi all - Would be grateful for any help identifying origin and period of this silver frame. It is oval in form and has a cast silver decorative surround of love birds, musical instruments, foliage etc. It is 120 mm long. I have listed this under French silver because the marks look possibly French, but may well be from elsewhere. Hanau? There are only 2 marks that I can find. The style is late 18th century, but I guess a late 19th century copy. Many thanks John

Good day John,

Am going to allow those with more knowledge answer here but just wanted to point out in image #2, what appears to be a later mark on the out stretched dove's wing on the right. Can we get a close up? And image #3, just above the violin neck. Is that another mark punched it the back of the frame coming through?

Lovely piece
Warren

Hi Warren - thanks for your comments. Yes I did notice the possible mark on the birds wing. I cleaned it out but could see no mark within. I will have another look in daylight tomorrow and try and get a photo. The marks at the top of the violin neck appear to be a depiction of the tuning knobs rather than a mark. John

Both hallmarks make me think of XVIII's hallmarks from Dijon, FRANCE. But not sure at all...

Hello —
Sorry - your frame is not eighteenth century French. The size, placement and number of marks is not French. The style is nineteenth century romantic.

My best guess is Hanau, Germany, but I leave it to the Hanau experts to identify your marks. Looking through the excellent compilation of Hanau marks here might help you:

http://www.925-1000.com/Fgerman_hanau_marks_01.html

I think Jay T is right

Or as JayT said Hanau hallmarks which are copies of prestigious international hallmarks...

Good evening JayT, amena and smokanabeach. It seems Hanau is most likely! Many thanks for your advice and input. John