Featured Torah Pointer Technique and marks

Hi,
Having had some difficulty identifying these marks and encountering this damascene work style technique for the first time, I thought you might be able to help me place this object re technique, time and place of production. I know I have seen this A in lozenge mark before but can't place it.

 

Are you sure this isn't a miniature wushu weapon?
https://www.antiquers.com/threads/moron-ebay-sellers.93946/#post-12541616

 

Nice array! But no, this is a traditional Torah pointer to avoid touching the holy scroll by hand.

 

I know. And it's a beauty!
And I tried to find the marks, but no success...
Any idea, @silvermakersmarks / @DragonflyWink?

 

I'm seeing an IL in an oval.

The mark with the R has an I or a graphic to its left?

 

Ditto

 

It's very worn. I'll have to try different angles. The IL is probably the maker's mark and the A the assay/town.

 

Yad

 

My memory kicked in and I know where I have seen this mark (10 years ago!): this early 19th century knife from Brno. But there it's F, not A, and as far as I understand the A means Vienna.

https://il.bidspirit.com/ui/lotPage/kedem/source/search/auction/6946/lot/111810/סכין-מילה-עם-ידית-פיליגרן-וקופסה?lang=en

 

Correct!
https://www.silvercollection.it/austriansilverhallmarks.html

and the R mark could be

or

 

Wow, thanks!
So this narrows it down to a very short period of time - 1807 to 1810.

 

Very Klimt. Don't those ink marks look like a museum's accession numbers?

Debora

 

That was my first thought.

What does the string tag say?

 

They are. I am a collection registrar that's also in charge of object and provenance research. And I love the Klimt reference.
I am struggling to find equivalents. Do you guys think it's a marriage and the hand is maybe older than the rest?

 

No, I don't.

Debora

 

Correct, and F stands for the Brno assay office.

I don't think it is a marriage either, but I do wonder where the maker was originally from, because this type of work doesn't strike me as Austrian.

 

--

 

The technique of wire inlay on wood can be referred to as damascene on wood, or "tarkashi work" based on a traditional craft technique in India. In Europe, you can find it used on gunstocks and knife handles by at least the 17th century.

To my eye, the design on your yad has an Ottoman/Middle Eastern feel.

 

That's a very good point I haven't thought of.