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Unsure of date and origin of teaspoon
Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 8:02 pm
by Granmaa
Here is a silver teaspoon; I'm not certain that it's French, but the pattern makes me think so.
It has the name Robert, a gothic R and a strange shape with the number 18. Does anyone know where it's from and how old it is?
Miles
Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 8:39 pm
by admin
Belgium, I think the town mark may be Tournai for 1818? (can't make out the numbers), the "R" is a census mark.
Regards, Tom
Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 8:46 pm
by Granmaa
Thanks Tom; I didn't realize that was the date, it is 1818. Do you know anything about Robert?
Miles
The spoon and its marks
Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 11:30 am
by Martine
Dear Granmaa
The ' Gothic R' is a 'Recense mark' kind of 'Duty mark' at that time used in Belgium during the period, 1831 - 1868.
The second mark in a square is certainly the maker's mark, That form of makers' mark was used in Belgium since 1818 ( Dutch period).
Now 'Robert' can be: or the maker, or the name of the House where the flatware was sold.
Unfortunately, till now there is no general book on the Belgian maker's mark of the 19th century, totally reshaped so that we can easily find the Belgian silversmiths marks and the name related to the city.
With my experience, i can tell you that it is not one of the most known silvesmith in Belgium
As for telling that the mark is from Tournai, or dated 1818, I am sorry to say that this does not look to be so.
One might be able to find the Gothic letter R on a 18th century object, but then we'll find also the 18th century marks for the city. ( Most of the time)
(For Tournai: a Tower and a lettre T)
Or we can find the Gothic R , alone on it's own, this happens when the 'essay' office, is not already active.
I hope this can help a little
Martine,
Tenerife
Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 11:59 am
by Granmaa
Thankyou Martine. Can you be more accurate with a date based on the design?
Miles
Tea spoon Fiddle
Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 3:21 pm
by Martine
Dear Granmaa !!!
Sorry I forgot to read your name.!!!
This model started in Belgium, more of less like in France, i would say 1830's 1850's.
It is called le Double Filet, ' double fiddle' I think in english.
You can find a similar type, a little bit different in the 18th century also.
The older they are , the heavier..... in the 19th c.
I peared a little bit through my maker's book, but till now, no Clue.
How did it come to you??? in England.?
Silvery Yours!
Martine
Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 5:22 pm
by Granmaa
Thankyou Martine,
In England this design is called fiddle and thread.
I can't tell you much about how it came to me; I bought it in a car boot sale. It's not particularly unusual to see continental flatware in England.
c.1840 sounds like a good estimation to me.
Miles