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tlineopen  American Silver before sterling
tline3open  Single or multiple touch marks

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Author Topic:   Single or multiple touch marks
cbc58

Posts: 333
Registered: Aug 2008

iconnumber posted 12-14-2019 12:11 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for cbc58     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
This is a general question regarding a silversmiths use of touch marks. I've noticed that some silversmiths mark their pieces with one touch mark, and other times with the same touch mark twice or more. I don't see it that often -- but do see it from time to time.

Is there a reason they would do that? Does it signify anything?

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wev
Moderator

Posts: 4121
Registered: Apr 99

iconnumber posted 12-14-2019 01:54 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for wev     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Personal choice/habit/foible. No significance past a recognizable pattern. Also, the first strike is sometimes mis-struck, so done again.

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cbc58

Posts: 333
Registered: Aug 2008

iconnumber posted 12-15-2019 08:10 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for cbc58     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks WEV. I do have another question on makers marks which maybe you can help answer.

Many silversmiths used different marks, or variations of marks, throughout their careers. Is there any publication of reference guide that shows the time frame or progression of marks used for a smith? For instance - I had asked a question awhile back about marks for Peter Mood and there are 3 variations of his marks shown in a reference book. How do you tell which came first, second and third? That would help hone in on the date of a piece. Or does is it simply become a matter of accumulated knowledge and "having a feel" for the age of a piece and then assigning the mark on it to the point in his/her career that it was used. Guessing that's the case and always wondered if the there was any guide or resource that lists marks in chronological order.. Tks.

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agleopar

Posts: 850
Registered: Jun 2004

iconnumber posted 02-04-2020 08:39 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for agleopar     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
In England double makers marks show up on non assayed work. It seems to me in the US it often was an effort by the smith to make more of an English look. By having multiple marks it has the feel of hall marks.

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agleopar

Posts: 850
Registered: Jun 2004

iconnumber posted 02-04-2020 08:44 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for agleopar     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Some books do make an attempt to place the different marks in a time line. I think Kane in her Colonial Massachusetts Silversmiths does the best job.

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