Coin silver, makers mark ID help.

Trying to find the maker that belongs to this mark. I once found it listed as unidentified on one of the silver sites but can’t find the link again. Usually a pictorial eagle on American coin silver puts it in NY, typically northern NY. Guessing the same can be said for this one but hoping someone recognizes it. I have the Flynt & Fales book but cant find it at the moment.

 

I don't think that looks like an eagle IMHO. And definitely not the NY eagle with spread wings.

But I am wondering whether this is a mark of James Watts of Philadelphia. There are several marks shown for him on the attached page.

https://www.sterlingflatwarefashions.com/Silversmiths/SSW3.html

 

Lovely spoon!

 

you’re right in that it’s not the typical NY eagle. I keep seeing one though.

I also kept ending up at J Watts. I suppose your are probably correct. Stylistically it fits his work. I just keep seeing a bird rather than horse even though the shape is insanely close to JW’s horse. The shield seems to very much be a different shape though and I haven’t seen a star variation on that part of his mark. Unless this is just poorly struck or oddly worn.

edit: horse or is it a dragon? Lol

 

Here are the 2 James Watts marks......a little bigger???? So I might say maybe not this mark??? Shield is very different....

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Your mark has been attributed to Watts, but was more likely produced by Philadelphia maker James P. Butler:
https://www.smpub.com/ubb/Forum19/HTML/000027.html

~Cheryl

 

Okay. So after all that discussion and all those pictures of marks we do finally have a conclusion.

 

Well, Catherine Hollan wrote the book on 'Philadelphia Silversmiths', she is well-respected, her books focused on specific areas; I know Trefid to be an excellent researcher as well, and they both believe the OP's mark belonged to Butler...

~Cheryl

 

Thanks Cheryl! I hadn’t found that thread. Glad to get an answer to this one! Too neat a piece to have remain a mystery.

 

It is beautiful, J.

 

While I like coin holloware, earlier coin flatware, aside from the history, doesn't usually interest me much, but since my primary interest lies in mid 19th to mid 20th century American and Scandinavian flatware, your ladle, with its pretty shell bowl and unusual pierced 'f-holes' on the handle appeals to me (and I'm a sucker for twist stems) - it is a nice piece...

~Cheryl

 

You too? A terrible affliction. I love it on flatware, but also barley twists on furniture and candlesticks.

 

Oh yeah, same for me - a bit twisted, myself...


Will share one of my ladles, a gift from my Mom decades ago (when she realized I was serious about silver), 1860s sterling by William Gale & Son, with a somewhat concerned looking moustached fellow. Soeffing's 'Silver Medallion Flatware' (1988) shows a similar piece with 'helmeted male', noting all found appear to have been engraved by the same hand, commenting, "Of all the engraved medallions produced, this is the best to be seen."



~Cheryl

 

I am more than a bit twisted.

Gorgeous, Cheryl. Your mother had excellent taste.

 

From all of all YOU peoples research, I'm lovin' Butler as well!!!!! NICE work, Peeps!!!