...is able to put a date on it from its construction and shape. Silverplated egg cup. Base material brass. Splits into two pieces that screw together. The bottom of the foot is decorated with very fine serrations on the edge. Dimensions: Height 7.2cm Cup diameter 4.7cm Foot diameter 4.2cm Weight 84 g I just took one final photograph [No. 10] of the foot and perhaps, in my eyes at least, there might be a maker's mark. Photos 9 & 10 show a lot of pitting that I don't think is caused by corrosion; but are from the casting process and were too deep to machine off. But please have a go at identifying the period of manufacture.
Besides everything? The way the pieces screw together. The roughness of the casting. If this was old Victorian British brass it would have far fewer pits, just to start.
Ah. I never for one moment thought that it was British. I was remiss in not saying that I acquired it in France. If it was British I might have expected it to have a Whitworth screw thread; and although I can't see it properly this looks like a square thread, which is usually used in large structures.
I can't really help you, other than that I see natural wear, with a tactile smoothness that comes with age. The screw thread looks hand made to me.
