Silver Orb - Ball S+P Shakers Danish Mod - Art Deco Look. Please help ID hallmarks.

Good Afternoon, I'm looking for some help with these salt + pepper shakers. They feature two hallmarks, the first looks like JL with a crown over top and the second is a pair of crossed keys. I get the impression they are silver plated and possibly Danish or Scandinavian, maybe mid century. They have an Art Deco feel to them. It looks like they have white ceramic on the interior, possibly porcelain. They measure 2" x 2". Sorry about the photos, these were really hard to photograph. Thanks for your help!

 

First of all, silver plated items are never "hallmarked" although in some places and times (like Denmark before WW2) there might be a standard way to distinguish plate from solid. In addition, an item made outside the US in the 20th century should be marked "Made in......." in order to be imported (and I don't see that on your shakers, though it could have been printed on a sticker which is now missing.) I also don't see anything "art deco" about them,

The whitish material in the opening looks like plastic - plastic like this is often found in shakers made in Japan, post WW2.

They definitely have some age - with all the chipping around the opening.

I can't really see what makes up the mark you say is crossed keys. Any chance of a better focused picture?

 

Hi, thanks for writing. I should have mentioned in my original post I’m very unfamiliar with silver and metalware and I apologize for using the word “hallmark” when I should have used the more general term “stamped”. I referred to them having an Art Deco look because of the popularity of spherical/orb/ball shaped silver/chrome decorative items from the Art Deco era- items like candle holders, ashtrays, lamps, salt and pepper shakers, and so on. For example, Chase made a number of these items.

While is plastic around the main opening of each, they are made of ceramic in addition to whatever silvered metal. I think they made have been molded in two separate halves then had parts lined with some plastic fixtures for the openings. I’ve attached a photo which I hope helps to illuminate the interior, but them being so small and having limited capabilities it may not be super clear.

Regarding the marks, The first appears to read “JL” with a crown above the letters, and the second looks like a pair of crossed keys with round or loop shaped ends. In the center, there is something of a decorative, ornamental "rod" with spade shaped ends. So to more accurately describe it, it’s like a pair of crossed keys with an additional ornamental item in the center, so almost like a star. I've included a rough sketch to help better illustrate it.

I’m looking in the way of Japan per your response and it seems like the right direction. Again thanks for all the help. I posted this on the metalware board originally then saw the silver board and posted here. If there is a better place to post this, please let me know!

 

JMHO, Mid Century and Art Deco are different time periods and different styles

 

I understand what you are saying, I used those periods as a reference to the style. Check out Mid Century Modern Georg Jensen silver orb salt and pepper shakers or Russel Wright and then look at Art Deco Chase salt pepper shakers and you will clearly see what I am referring to.

 

Just going to throw this out there: the chipping/flaking makes me question whether they are chrome plated.

 

Yeah, I think you may be right wiscbirddog, thanks for responding!