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Are these hallmarks genuine?

Posted: Wed May 09, 2018 7:59 am
by gsmoggy
Hi Members
I am thinking of buying a small silver jug,it has a lot of engraving on it (I do not have a picture of the jug) I am not sure if the marks are right it looks like it may be quiet early.
Regards Guido
Image

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Re: Are these hallmarks genuine?

Posted: Wed May 09, 2018 8:26 am
by AG2012
Hi,
Is there no maker`s mark ?
Date letter ``r`` for 1792 (London). Duty mark on the right cannot be seen properly.
Regards

Re: Are these hallmarks genuine?

Posted: Wed May 09, 2018 9:49 am
by gsmoggy
Thanks Ag for the quick reply. I took a quick photo of the mark before the place closed ,did not see markers mark ,it may have one.Was engraving popular around this date 1792? I am wondering if it was a plain jug that was engraved latter.I understand it is difficult without an image.
Regards Guido.

Re: Are these hallmarks genuine?

Posted: Wed May 09, 2018 9:55 am
by AG2012
George III silver was often engraved, but Victorians did it on older silver, too, even chasing and embossing.Sometimes not easy to distinguish.

Re: Are these hallmarks genuine?

Posted: Wed May 09, 2018 10:11 pm
by gsmoggy
HI Ag
Many thanks for your input. I may have a go for it ,even though I had a bit of a rushed look at it ,depends what it goes for.
Again good work Guido.

images of jug on my last post

Posted: Thu May 10, 2018 5:15 am
by gsmoggy
Hi Members
I did end up buying the small jug (creamer) i am very happy with it, considering I did not have a long look before the auction.It looks original to me and the quality of the engraving or chasing I feel is fantastic.I have not looked up the maker yet the letter are I.M
Many thanks for your info Ag.
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Re: Are these hallmarks genuine?

Posted: Thu May 10, 2018 5:50 am
by AG2012
Hi,
Marks look genuine and the maker is probably John Merry.
Compare the mark attributed to him in the image bellow (pay attention to serifs).
The engraving looks Victorian but cannot tell for sure.

Regards

Image

Re: Are these hallmarks genuine?

Posted: Thu May 10, 2018 5:57 am
by AG2012
This set of marks for comparison.

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Re: Are these hallmarks genuine?

Posted: Thu May 10, 2018 6:11 am
by AG2012

Re: Are these hallmarks genuine?

Posted: Thu May 10, 2018 6:50 am
by gsmoggy
Hi Ag
You may be right the Merry marks look similar,I thought my maker may be John Muns ? I will look merry up.How do we tell if the engraving is original or done latter?

(admin edit - see Posting Requirements )

Many thanks Guido.

Re: Are these hallmarks genuine?

Posted: Thu May 10, 2018 7:36 am
by AG2012
John Muns died 1768.
George III duty mark was introduced 1784/1785.
In short, it cannot be him.
Victorians were fond of ornate engraving,chasing and embossing and had many old silver destroyed.
But later engraving is not easy to distinguish (not compatible with the style).
Regards

Re: Are these hallmarks genuine?

Posted: Thu May 10, 2018 8:30 am
by gsmoggy
thanks AG
it seems you are right that it is John Merry.It is a very strange place to place the hallmarks cutting into the engraving.what came first the chicken (hallmark)or the egg(engraving).
Many thanks Guido.