Trying to ID maker of Peruvian Sterling Piece -- Looks like F.H.

This is a covered bowl that we came across (the cover is currently being repaired and not shown). I wonder if anyone has any idea who the maker is? First picture shows the marks that are on the inside bottom surface. Thanks in advance! ... Dave

 

All I know is that "esterlina" is Spanish for "sterling."

 

Which fits with the "925". Now to figure out the "F.H." (I think it is an "H", that 2nd character looks like a double impression).

 

Bump

 

Hi Dave. Meant to say that I did some searching when you first posted but was unable to find any reference to an F H maker in Peru. Searching the 925-1000 forums with just initials is an exercise in futility, so I did some browsing through Peruvian maker/mark queries and their South American trade section (where they post advertising images.) I wish I had something better for you.

 

Thanks! I was just doing the same, hoping for a lucky break. That's a tough part of the world to get info on. ... Dave

 

It certainly is. We know it's not either of the "big names" (Welsch and Camusso) so it may just be best to clean it up and be done with it.

 

That's helpful to know (I didn't know what the "big names" were over there). Yes, we'll probably just go ahead and get it listed soon.

 

I didn't know about them either, until I stumbled across a very tarnished platter made by Welsch a couple years ago at a family-run estate sale. It was tough to read the marks through the tarnish (and Welsch uses a llama as their trademark) but I was pretty sure the number stamp was at least 835. And of course as soon as I got that area cleaned, all was revealed. They had it priced at only $12.50 so they must has thought it was silverplated.

I found a Camusso napkin ring last summer at a yard sale for $1!

 

Interesting - this was a similar deal. Very tarnished and certainly not recognized for what it was. Curiously, we have a llama (I believe) on the lid, it was out getting reattached when I took the pictures of the base.

 

You mean a Llama as decoration?

 

Yes, a figurine serving as a finial to the lid.

 

Well, there are a whole lot of llamas on Peruvian wares of all kinds. Very important animal.

 

I bought a stack of 'silverplate' trays at auction for $12.50

Small ones. The whole stack only weighed about a pound and a half.

They were all Peruvian 900 or 925. Half were Welsch.

Silver had just gone up to $25 when I listed them on ebay.

Seems no one on ebay at the time knew what plata esterlina meant.

They sold for a total of about $200.

When silver went higher yet I figured I'd take advantage of the ignorance on ebay.

I haven't found a piece going under value since.

 

Nice catch!