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I am struggling to identify the maker of this Georgian silver porringer and would really appreciate any help or ideas. I am not a silver specialist, but the marks seem to be for London, date marked for 1780. I think the maker's stamp is WC, although it is a little distorted so could be WO or WQ. I've also tried turning it upside down so it possibly reads OM, GM or CM but still can't get anywhere. The closest I get is a maker called William Cripps, but he seems to have died in the late 1860s, so don't think it is his! Also, the engraving on the front bears the date 1821 - I'm guessing this was engraved at a later date? Any help would be very welcome!




(admin photo edit)

I agree that this is a 1780 hallmark and I think that WC is the most likely set of initials. This would point to the maker being, probably, William Cattell. William Cripps actually died in 1767.

Phil

Hi Phil,

Thanks for the confirmation on the date and the advice about the maker. I've had a look at the mark for William Cattel which looks like a possible match, the only thing is that the way the W is formed is slightly different (there seems to be a line across the top of where the W meets in the middle, if that makes sense!) Were there sometimes slightly different marks for one maker over time?

Thanks again for your help, Cassie

The slight difference is why I used the word "probably". Marks may very well have varied slightly if a new punch had to be made. In addition it appears from your picture that the mark on your porringer is overstamped on another mark which may have caused some distortion.