Very Interesting Ornate Footed Silver Thing..Unusual Marks I.D.??

Any help app reciated.3-1/2" tall

 

Can't help with the marks, but my guess would be 19th/early-20th C. India judging from the shape, subject matter and motifs on your item.

 

At least some of the marks are Dutch. But since they are facing in all sorts of directions, it might help if you post more pictures of the bottom in various rotated directions.

Oops. Now I see that you've already done that. Carry on.

 

At 3-1/2 inches tall, my only thought is that whatever it was meant to hold was precious (costly) indeed -- perhaps spices, perfume, or rare seeds of some sort, or some sort of "holy/revered" water or a medicinal liquid or compound.

 

Here's the 925-1000 page for Dutch marks.
http://www.925-1000.com/Fnetherlands_Date_Code.html

I saw the "key" tax stamp first and the rampant lion. Plus that O with a crescent moon on top of it - which is probably the maker's mark. It actually looks like some may be either badly struck, worn or extraneous. What I don't see is a date letter (which should be in a circular cartouche.)

 

I see a "key" mark, but it doesn't look like the key mark on that Dutch hallmark page, the "L" pic; however, it does look a little like the Dutch export "key" mark in Tardy, p. 322. It also looks similar to some of the Belgium "key" marks, but they would be too early for this item. The key mark on the 925-1000 page was used from 1853-1953. I see the Dutch dolphin tax mark that was used 1859-1893. I haven't had time to study the rest of the marks.

--- Susan

 

I finally made out the Dutch Lion Rampant mark for "silver purity or minimum standard = .934." This one almost looks like it is topped with a crown? Gee, those purity lion marks are not crowned. I then thought it might be an old city mark like for Rotterdam; however, the lion city marks are all facing left, this one is facing right.



I think??? the mark with and O under a crescent shape may be an Assay Office mark. Tardy has them in an oval punch like this one. Problem, none look like this one. Of course, probably half of it is worn off, soooo probably won't ever be able to ID it.

I think???? the maker's mark is the MG/MC/MO.

--- Susan

 

I dunno what the hell it is, but what a beautiful piece of silver!!

 

It's a typical 'antique' style Dutch piece from the late 19th century, with a mix of official marks and pseudo-marks, which were intended to insinuate greater age. The partially obscured mark to the left of the dolphin would be the maker's mark, almost certainly 'RS' over '2' for Jans Rinze Spaanstra, working 1843-96, the dolphin duty mark would indicate that it assayed out under the .833 minimum fineness, and the key indicating it was intended for export - the others are pseudo-marks. Might just be a small vase, or perhaps a shaker missing its top...

~Cheryl

 

What Cheryl said makes absolute sense...but I will keep the thought that it was made to dispense some rare and costly liqueur made by cloistered, discalced* monks.

*a) How often does one get to weave that into the conversation, and b) The computer is red lining it. I guess computers aren't Catholic!

 

Silverthwait, love your footnotes above.

I think my previous posting covered the possibility of a "liqueur" without using that word. "Liqueur" always falls into the category of "medicinal liquid," does it not?

 

Thank you all,for the very helpful information!!

Sprels

 

I love it, sperls!