www.925-1000.com

I am looking for info on this silver with cloisonne and basse-taille enameling. The pin has an old style C-clasp. I am looking for help in identifying the maker, country, time period and subject matter. Any help would be greatly appreciated.





Thanks,
Brian[/img]

I found this in the Danish marks, so could be Danish instead of Norwegian, I looked in my very indepth Norwegian marks book and there is no HSN in it at all. Although it does look too old to be 1979-91.
Again in Danish marks on this site http://www.925-1000.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; is:

H.S.N. = Henrik Skovgaard Nielsen - Holbæk 1979 - 1991

Hi there,
The general rule of thumb is, if the pin extends beyond the body its old. I say turn of the century (1900-1910).

Doesn't the "S" mean Sweden?

The "s" stands for Silver (solve or solv), if Swedish it would have a set of Swedish hallmarks. It could be Danish, but is most likely Norwegian with its Dragstil (dragon style) motif. This style was generally produced from the 1890s to c.1930 and the use of 925 silver would put it toward the latter end of the date range.

Regards, Tom

thought it worth a bump to the top after a year.

I don't think that the pin is so old. It's looks more like 1940 - 50.
I think too that it is norwegian. It could be:
Haakon Schanke Nielsen in Bergen, Norway, estab. in the 1940ies
Regards Tosten

Heh, is it just me, or does that dragon have a wonderful Dr. Seuss quality?

~Cheryl

Thanks, Tosten good to have the name.

Cheryl, now that you mention it, yeah he sure does.

The pin mechanics are that of an early pin. I do not think that is it as late as 1940s.

In North America, hinged pin and C catch findings seemed to have fazed out between 1895 & 1910, replaced by the safety catch. In Europe they continued using them far longer, don't know it they are still common but have seen them on Scandinavian work made up until the 1960s.

Regards, Tom

Babsy, understand that the tube hinge, c-clasp and pin shaft extending beyond the body of the pin are all used as guidelines in dating American jewelry, but as Tom said, they really don't apply to Scandinavian pieces or European jewelry in general. Can't say that I've seen a tube hinge on any Scandinavian pieces beyond the '60s-'70s, but have seen very recent production with c-clasps and/or long pins. My gut feeling was mid 20th century and still is.

~Cheryl