www.925-1000.com

Hello. This is my first time posting here. I've carefully looked through your pages on hallmarks and definitely believe this is a piece of British Silver. However, I am very confused on how to date this item and would like to know what type of silver tray this is.

I took some photos of the whole object itself, which I must apologize for being so poor. My camera or my skills at photography are too poor to properly photograph it. However, the hallmarks below, which a colleague photographed, should be very easy to view.






My guess is that this tray may have been utilized for serving food or holding other items related to dining; perhaps it is serving tray. If my suspicions are correct, though, this try may predate the seventeenth century. If so, perhaps it has some other function of an historical manner that I have not considered. I do not have the try easily accessible to me at this very moment, but it is over 12 inches in diameter.

The first photo shows the front (top) of the tray. The second photo shows the back (bottom) of the tray. The hallmarks are separated into two sets. Each set is across from each such that a straight line, which passes through the center of the piece, may be drawn connecting the two sets. The third photo shows what I've titled on the second picture "Hallmark Set 1". Similarly, the fourth photo shows what I've titled on that same picture "Hallmark Set 2". Does anyone have any ideas as to what purpose this tray may have served throughout its early history?

Regarding Hallmark set 1, the leftmost hallmark seems to be the standard mark which indicates that it is composed of sterling silver. The middle hallmark seems to be the city mark and indicates that the piece is from London and, since it is crowned, that the piece was crafted on or before 1822. The third hallmark is a real mystery to me. Does its being upside-down in relation to the other two marks to its left have any significance? If so, what? Furthermore, is it one of the two marks shown on this site's page explaining the British hallmarks that predates the duty marks? It has quite a different shape though. I'm perplexed by this hallmark. No true duty mark appears on this item. Because of this and the crown on the city hallmark, I believe the item predates 1784.

Regarding Hallmark set 2, I am completely perplexed. What do the two stars indicate? Are they pictographica makers marks? This item clearly lacks any initialed makers mark. If so, then I suspect this item to originate prior to the 17th century. Why are there two stars? Does the number two have any significance? Last, what is the mark in the middle mean? Is it the crowned leopard mentioned in the section describing the duty marks? If so, is this piece Britannia silver? And if so, then how can this be reconciled with the leftmost hallmark in Hallmark set 1 that indicates its being sterling silver?

Any thoughtful remarks to this item will be appreciated.

Hi tmek-
this is confusing. On your hallmark set 2, I think that is the "Lion Erased" I thought that that was part of the Britannia standard, but yours dosent have the Britannia figure that I thought needed to be with it.
I'm looking forward to hearing this one explained

Hi Tmek,

I'm afraid what you have here are two sets of pseudo-marks, which are quite meaningless.
The use of symbols for maker's marks fell into disuse in the 17th century, except in conjunction with initials. It would have been a requirement for an item to be struck with a maker's mark, pre-assay, it would not be accepted without it.
The Leopards Head marks bear similarities with 16th and 18th century marks, but are inaccurate as is the Lion's head erased, this mark, in use from 1697 until 1974 would have to been in conjunction with the Britannia mark.
All this does not mean that your tray is not silver, it may well be, but this mish-mash of marks look as if they were intended to deceive.
Hope you are not too disappointed by this, if nothing else, it's an interesting conversation piece.

Regards Trev.

Dognose,

Thank you for the interesting reply. I had this item acid tested by a jewler and he verified that this piece is silver. Are there other ways to date a silver piece such as by examining the workmanship on it? Would detailed photos of the designs in the tray help to date the piece?

Are such "pseudo-marks" common on silver pieces? Why would a piece such as this have such marks? Is it perhaps to make it seem older than it actually is?

I'm not dissapointed by your comment but am intrigued and would like to know more.

Hi Tmek,

Pseudo marks have been used for a variety of reasons for hundreds of years, some honest, some to deceive. Early colonial silversmiths used them as they had no official method of regulation, but still wanted to demonstrate the purity of their work by applying marks similar to that of their mother countries. Chinese silversmiths would given commissions from expatriates, and given a sample of the requirement, they would then copy them exactly. Then there are others who used sub-standard materials or made items purporting to be of another period in time than what they were.
Clearer photographs may help to identify the age of your tray, but I always think the finest way is to handle as much silver as possible, by this method you will soon get a gut feeling of what's right and what's wrong.
Good to hear that your tray is silver. Did the jeweller give any opinion on the purity? It would be interesting to know.

Regards Trev.