SMP Logo
SM Publications
Silver Salon Forums - The premier site for discussing Silver.
SMP | Silver Salon Forums | SSF - Guidelines | SSF - FAQ | Silver Sales

The Silver Salon Forums
Since 1993
Over 11,793 threads & 64,769 posts !!
Silver Jewelry Forum
How to Post Photos

Want to be a Moderator?
customtitle open  SMP Silver Salon Forums
tlineopen  Silver Jewelry
tline3open  Makers intials WR/WB? plus letter M or W ??

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq | search

ForumFriend SSFFriend: Email This Page to Someone! next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   Makers intials WR/WB? plus letter M or W ??
windi

Posts: 3
Registered: Nov 2004

iconnumber posted 11-03-2004 06:23 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for windi     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Oh dear, sorry to post again so soon. I have another brooch (approx 1 3/4 ins long. It has the lion passant and Chester marks. There are 2 letters before the lion mark either WR or WB (the stamp meets the edge of the brooch) - at the top of the brooch there is a solitary letter M - and, just to confuse things even more, the date stamp is very hard to see as it too is on the edge of the brooch - it LOOKS like a sideways on letter S. If anyone can advise I'd be very grateful!! I have taken a photo of the back but it's not very clear at all I'm afraid.

I wonder how many of you are like me - I'm getting quite hooked on researching the different styles and marks on jewellery!!

IP: Logged

Paul Lemieux

Posts: 1792
Registered: Apr 2000

iconnumber posted 12-10-2004 12:58 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Paul Lemieux     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I am browsing this forum for posts I may have missed. This is one. I can't really see the marks, so I am not sure during what year the piece was made.

Your brooch is an example of a kind of jewelry very popular in England for perhaps 50 years, from the late 1870s to the 1920s or so. The style involves silver with applied accent pieces made either of silver or 9k gold in various colors.

Earlier items and items through the late 1880s were in the Aesthetic or Japanese taste, frequently featuring designs such as birds, insects, floral/foliate decoration, and geometric designs. Because this type of jewelry was produced in vast quantities, the most desirable examples are those with more handwork and unusual decoration (I once saw a wonderful piece with an applied, dimensional fly). The Japanese style pieces faded out of style around 1890 or so it seems. However, the bird motif remained a popular device.

From the late 1880s until the time this jewelry went out of favor, the most popular motifs were sentimental. One often sees name brooches, which feature a name applied in cut-out silver surrounded by silver and/or 9k gold applied decorations, frequently ivy-type leaves. Also popular were nicknames like "Baby," "Darling," and "Pet." Ribbons and hearts were other sentimental devices.

Stylistically, I would guess your piece was made c. 1895-1910.

Please see Brent's topic (A Nice English Victorian Pin) for another example.

IP: Logged

All times are ET

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:


Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.46a


1. Public Silver Forums (open Free membership) - anyone with a valid e-mail address may register. Once you have received your Silver Salon Forum password, and then if you abide by the Silver Salon Forum Guidelines, you may start a thread or post a reply in the New Members' Forum. New Members who show a continued willingness to participate, to completely read and abide by the Guidelines will be allowed to post to the Member Public Forums.
Click here to Register for a Free password

2. Private Silver Salon Forums (invitational or $ donation membership) - The Private Silver Salon Forums require registration and special authorization to view, search, start a thread or to post a reply. Special authorization can be obtained in one of several ways: by Invitation; Annual $ Donation; or via Special Limited Membership. For more details click here (under development).

3. Administrative/Special Private Forums (special membership required) - These forums are reserved for special subjects or administrative discussion. These forums are not open to the public and require special authorization to view or post.


| Home | Order | The Guide to Evaluating Gold & Silver Objects | The Book of Silver
| Update BOS Registration | Silver Library | For Sale | Our Wants List | Silver Dealers | Speakers Bureau |
| Silversmiths | How to set a table | Shows | SMP | Silver News |
copyright © 1993 - 2022 SM Publications
All Rights Reserved.
Legal & Privacy Notices