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Hello!
I need help with attributing the marks on this spoon. What country, what age, who is maker?
I would be grateful for any opinions.

My guess Romania.
But I can't write more.
Best regards!
Krisztián

Hello Krisztián!
I assumed it was Eastern Europe, but I thought it was most likely Poland. But of course it could be Romania. What time period do you think this is?
Regards. Alex.

Middle, or 2. part of the 19. century.

:::: I thought it was Romanian based on the form which is similar to a Romanian spoon I have (with the double-fish symbol so that would make my spoon early 20th century) but has anyone seen these symbols before on 19th century Romanian Silver? ::::::

::::: I was thinking it might be a province of Romania, or maybe even Moldova, and in the 1850s there were some efforts made to modernize Moldova, and these stamps with Bulls Heads (with a star between the horns) were issued, so I was wondering if this "bull symbol" is some sort of official Moldova hallmark that was issued in 1860-1875 (approximately) or else it is just a coincidence that a bull appears on this silver spoon and also the Moldova stamp? ::::



:::::: There is also a horn on the stamp. Is the other symbol on the spoon a sort of "stylized horn" or what do other people think? ::::::

::::::: These stamps are extremely rare. :::::::::::::

:::: The other symbol might be a bird and it might represent Wallachia :::::

::::: From 1862-1866 Moldavia and Wallachia were unified and acting as a single political entity which replaced a former unification in 1859 called "The United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia" so it was now the "Romanian United Principalities" and then from 1866-1881 there was a ruling Prince Carol The First who had a parliament and established a constitutional monarchy that lasted until 1881 when the parliament proclaimed "Romania is a kingdom now" so that unified the entire region. :::::



:::::: The above image is the bird symbol of Wallachia. :::::: The spoon might be from the "United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia" political entity ::::: Note that the bull symbol on the stamp has rounded corners, and the side-profile bull hallmark on the silver spoon has rounded corners too. :::::: I do think that third symbol is a stylized bird, but maybe with the spoon in hand it could be better evaluated. ::::::::

:::::::: Apologies for writing "Moldova" when I mean to write "Moldavia" please accept my apologies :::::::::::

:::: To the right of the bird's "wing" there seems to be a crescent moon :::: This bird with crescent moon can be seen on early coins of the region. ::::

RUSSIA. Moldavia & Wallachia. Silver Pattern 2 Para/3 Kopek, 1773. Sadagura Mint. Catherine II (the Great) (1762-96).



:::::: The above image is a Russian Provincial Coin from when The Russian Empire ruled over the region of Moldavia & Wallachia in the second half of the 18th century. :::::::::::

::::: (Unless I'm mistaken, there seems to be a crescent moon to the right of the bird's "wing" which would make the bird's head in the middle of the hallmark). ::::::::

Hi Aguest!
Many thanks for very interesting and useful information!
Regards.

::::: These hallmarks have a lot of detail in them, they could be official hallmarks mandated by Moldavia & Wallachia, maybe there is a historical archive that could be searched as relates to silversmiths working in Romania 1860-1880 and if it was mandatory that a bull and an eagle be struck. :::::

::::: Otherwise this was just a patriotic silversmith who decided to make a Bull punch and an Eagle punch because he was showing his pride in the Unification of Moldavia and Wallachia :::::

::::: Maybe a Romanian historian would know more. ::::::

Hello!
I found another spoon with exactly the same bull mark, but with another "strange" mark. Is this also from Moldavia and Wallachia or this spoon have a different origin?
Thanks in advance for your opinions.

Now a fork also has been found...

::::: Same region but a different silversmith from the spoon in the original post, hallmarks appear a bit more stylized as the bull and bird become more symbolic in appearance. :::::::: Someone from the National Museum Of Romania has to know more about these symbols. :::::::::::

Hi Aguest!
Thank you for your reply. I will try to contact the National Museum of Romania.
Regards. Alex.