Unknown Silver Marks (European)

Unknown Silver Marks by Generic_Lad posted May 26, 2021 at 3:24 PM

Unknown Silver Marks by Generic_Lad posted May 26, 2021 at 3:24 PM

Any idea what these marks are?

It has been said that the "E" is a Belgian Import Mark used 1832-1869, and the only thing I can seem to find for the crowned "G" was Wolf & Knell (Hanau) but it doesn't match up as Hanau pieces typically were marked by several marks. I haven't been able to have it XRF'd but does feel solid silver and doesn't seem to have anything to indicate its plated off-hand.

Thoughts?

 

That is correct, it is an 1832-1869 Belgian tax mark for import, E for Étranger, foreign. This particular E in a thickly outlined circle is for large items, non-jewellery.

Not all Hanau silver had multiple marks. The historic style is very Hanau.

 

Any idea on the other mark? I suppose it means that its not a Belgian piece

 

No, it wouldn't be Belgian.
Silvercollection seems to think it is Wolf & Knell, 925-1000 has the mark in a row of marks which includes the usual WK mark for Wolf & Knell. Hanau would be a good bet, stylewise.
Maybe @DragonflyWink can take a look.

 

Yeah -- I figured Hanau seemed correct, alas my book on world silver marks basically just says "Hanau silver exists and has lots of marks"

I've searched the back of the piece and such for additional, hidden marks, but the only two are the Belgian import mark and the crowned G

 

I think I just heard a sigh of relief from Hanau.

Great precision.

I'll do some more searching, but I think Dragonflywink's expertise is our best bet.

 

I just realised, if the crowned G is for Wolf & Knell, the Belgian E is one of the Hanau fake marks, because Wolf & Knell was founded in the 1880s.
Hanau is known for its fake marks.

 

Aside from the dating issues, it has the appearance of a Hanau piece, and even if the Belgian import mark was right (doubtful, to my eye), the crowned 'G' pseudo-mark was based on old 16th-18th century Goerlitz city marks, so just more dating issues (though in theory, could have been stamped on an older piece). Would think it's Hanau, but personally, wouldn't firmly attribute it to a specific maker...

Sorry, OP's mark is as clear as I could make it:




~Cheryl

 

Thanks!

 

Cheryl, I think the photo is covering the text for large items?
In the photo below you see the two for large (left) and small (centre) together for comparison. Generic's is the one on the left, for large items, with the extra circle.

 

Sorry, placing it over the large mark text was the easiest way to put the OP's mark next to that mark, should have noted it. It would be helpful if a clear pic of that mark could be posted, as I said, to my eye, it appears to have differences, and am curious of the size of the mark, if I recall correctly, even the large mark is fairly small, similar in scale to Dutch or French marks of the same 19th century period.

Just as a general comment for anyone posting queries, will add that to my thinking, it is important to note the size of pieces posted (a frustrating problem in sales descriptions as well). While I'm a visual person with a fairly good eye for scale, shouldn't have to guess or figure out an item's size by comparison to a coin, battery, lighter, soda can, hand, etc. Have to believe that most everyone has some sort of measuring device, whether metric or Imperial...

~Cheryl

 

Here are some additional photos

Unknown Silver by Generic_Lad posted May 27, 2021 at 11:10 AM

Unknown Silver by Generic_Lad posted May 27, 2021 at 11:10 AM

Unknown Silver by Generic_Lad posted May 27, 2021 at 11:10 AM

Unknown Silver by Generic_Lad posted May 27, 2021 at 11:10 AM

Unknown Silver by Generic_Lad posted May 27, 2021 at 11:10 AM

Unknown Silver by Generic_Lad posted May 27, 2021 at 11:10 AM

Unknown Silver by Generic_Lad posted May 27, 2021 at 11:10 AM

Unknown Silver by Generic_Lad posted May 27, 2021 at 11:10 AM

Thanks!

 

would that have ben for calling cards?

 

Still believe it is not a genuine Belgian import mark, new pic shows significant differences:




Is this another mark?:




~Cheryl

 

Yes it is.

 

I agree, it is most likely a Hanau fake mark.

 

No, it doesn't look like anything other than another stone for the decoration in the scene, it also doesn't have a corresponding raised part on the reverse like the other 2 marks have