|
A GLOSSARY of MILLED BANDS
|
|
| How to Post Photos |
REGISTER (click here)
|
|
A GLOSSARY of MILLED BANDS
|
|
| How to Post Photos |
REGISTER (click here)
|
|
 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 American Silver before sterling
 obliterated makers mark
|
 SSFFriend: Email This Page to Someone! |
next newest topic | next oldest topic |
| Author | Topic: obliterated makers mark |
|
argentum1 Posts: 602 |
posted 08-28-2005 09:17 PM
  
Just curious as to why anyone would obliterate the makers mark. I just purchased a coin silver pitcher. The Pure Silver Coin and BOSTON are intact;however, the makers mark appears to have been obliterated by a silversmith. It was done using wigglework. Any ideas? That is short of breaking their fingers. Please excuse the violent outburst. IP: Logged |
|
Marc Posts: 414 |
posted 08-28-2005 11:44 PM
Hi there Argentum, Usually a makers mark is crossed out for a few reasons, all having to do with business. 1. The maker was a competitor of the shop that sold the pitcher. God forbid that the customer look on the bottom and see a "Macy" mark when the piece is being sold by their next door neighbor. The customer might go directly to the "real" maker next time 2. The pitcher was made by a jobber, who even though instructed not to put his mark on the piece, did so. 3. The customer wanted a pitcher faster than one could be fabricated, so the shop owner went searching for, and found a piece that suited the client. Unfortunately, there was another retailer or makers mark on it. Why advertise your competition. Just zig-zag the name out.. Hope this helps.. I have noticed several pieces of coin holloware treated this way. Marc IP: Logged |
|
wev Moderator Posts: 4121 |
posted 08-29-2005 12:39 AM
And it may also have been stock remining from a defunct partnership. IP: Logged |
|
Ulysses Dietz Moderator Posts: 1265 |
posted 08-29-2005 10:23 AM
The Newark Museum owns a great Egyptian revival hot water urn made by Gorham in 1872...however the Gorham mark has been obliterated in favor of the retailer's mark, Starr & Marcus. We have always assumed that the obliterations was done by the retailer, which seems odd, since even Tiffany didn't obliterate maker's marks that early. IP: Logged |
|
Kimo Posts: 1627 |
posted 08-29-2005 01:25 PM
A couple of less likely, but I suppose possible, explanations might be that the object did not meet the quality standards of the maker and was sold as a "second" that the maker did not want his mark left on; or, it could be left-over stock bought for resale by someone after the maker passed away or went of business; or, the maker supplied things out of his regular stock to another seller (as opposed to making especially for the other seller) and wanted to reserve his makers make for only those things he sold himself; or, the maker's mark may be spurious and someone somewhere along the way decided to deface it so that future owners of the item would not be fooled into thinking it was authentic. IP: Logged |
All times are ET | next newest topic | next oldest topic |
  |
|
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. 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. |
|
copyright © 1993 - 2022
SM Publications
All Rights Reserved. Legal & Privacy Notices |