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Hello,
I have been researching a Dutch Chatelaine and have been unable to find out who the maker's name is. I was wondering if any of you experts might be able to guide me in the right direction. The box is stamped with the Hatchet, the Crown with 3 Crosses and the initials ?B. I am not sure if the other piece might be to pack down tobacco or a needle case. This is stamped with the Hatchet, the Crown and 3 Crosses, a star mark that might be an assayers strike, and possibly the boars head but can't make out clearly. Very confusing with all these marks. From what I understand I believe this was made in Amsterdam and the hatchet mark indicates this might be "Old Netherlands Silver". Hopefully someone might be able to shed some light. Your help and guidance would be much appreciated!
Best regards,
Jenny

Hi welcome to the forum.


1.) Pill or peppermint box with pseudo/fake marks; IB a pseudo maker’s mark and a pseudo city mark for Amsterdam (three Andreas crosses). You could say the marks are part of the decoration.

2.) Needle case pseudo/fake mark for Amsterdam and pseudo maker’s mark (flower)

3.) The hatchet, the 1853 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

4.) The Boars head or the 1831 duty mark, this mark is of two sizes. It did not give any guarantee on precious metal content. It has been used as a duty mark on metal with a silver content of 250 minimum. This mark was destined for all imported, unmarked and invalid marked objects of foreign, national and unknown origin returned to the trade. The big sized Boars head used 1831-1855 and the small Boars head used 1831-1893. Until 1865, the small mark was struck twice, close together, on objects with unmarkable appendages and chains.

5.) The chatelaine, pill box and needle case are made around 1865, in a time when antique, old silver object with by then invalid city guild marks were in high demand at home and abroad.

For more information about Dutch silver marks see: http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=32028

Oel.

Dear Oel,
Wow! Thank you for your quick response. I will have to read the information you provided over again as you have supplied me with so much. So you believe these are from around 1865. Thank you again!
Best regards,
Jenny

Hi Jenny,

You are welcome however I should have said; chatelaine/needle case around 1865 and the pill box, which could could have been added on later and perhaps made around the end of the 19th century.

Oel.