|
|
|
| How to Post Photos |
REGISTER (click here)
|
|
|
|
| How to Post Photos |
REGISTER (click here)
|
|
 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 Silverplate Forum
 Circle SSS unidentified mark. Spoon
|
 SSFFriend: Email This Page to Someone! |
next newest topic | next oldest topic |
| Author | Topic: Circle SSS unidentified mark. Spoon |
|
jdye Posts: 16 |
posted 09-03-2006 08:58 PM
  
[26-1190] Spoon, 6 in. long with circular bowl 1 & 11/16ths diameter. Appears to be sterling but no mark at all for this. No worn areas show any evidence of a base metal. Only mark is the SSS in a circle. Only decoration is the 5 perfectly spherical beads applied in a line on the front near the end of the handle. No provenance, flea market, lovely piece. Rat tail Handle is at a 45 degree angle with the bowl. Works very nicely as a server for cranberry sauce. I wish to know more. Scandinavian?, not antique?, guessing. Please and thank you for any comments forthcoming. First post. Jayne IP: Logged |
|
FWG Posts: 845 |
posted 09-04-2006 09:28 AM
I've seen it, but can't remember if I ever identified it. I'll keep it in mind. Although the mark doesn't suggest it, I have seen this style also in Mexican silver. IP: Logged |
|
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 09-04-2006 09:39 AM
I see these often but not with that mark which is new to me. Thanks for posting. Every one we have ever seen has been silver plate. I am surprised by how many sellers represent these as being solid silver. IP: Logged |
|
jdye Posts: 16 |
posted 09-04-2006 11:52 AM
1st: Thank you Scott for clearing up my error on my first post. Thanks to all other responders. 2nd: There was no Dealer misrepresentation inplied. Opposed to my memory of purchasing it, my husband thinks this spoon may have been in his parent's possession. They traveled widely in Europe, 1957? including the Belgium World's Fair. His father's sister traveled widely in 1924, alone, no tour group, around the entire world including extensive time in Asia. Many of his parent's possessions relate to souvenier acquisitions of these travels. (cost being no deterent) Possible origins therefore are many. 3rd: I am new at this. Can I test this piece, myself, at home, to answer the question of plate or solid (totally unmarked as such by number etc)? The color of this spoon is slightly 'whiter' and 'bluer' than the Sheffield Plate Flatware Canteen pieces. It does not resemble the color of stainless steel, nor of electroplate pieces. It has the same patina of other solid silver pieces. (not an expert opinion). 4th: I need to know how to search this forum for the Circle SSS mark. Using SSS as a search word produces results, 168, but none contain the SSS. "SSS" produces nothing. IP: Logged |
|
swarter Moderator Posts: 2920 |
posted 09-04-2006 12:39 PM
I am afraid that most - if not all - methods of testing that could be done at home would be to some degree destructive to the surface, and are often unreliable anyway. For now, the fact that there is a mark is your best chance; many peoplee will see your post, and someone may know the mark. I am sure that our members will do what they can to be of help with your future estate under the conditions you describe, and short of providing valuations, which is contrary to out policies. IP: Logged |
|
jdye Posts: 16 |
posted 09-04-2006 12:47 PM
Thank you for your reply. Valuations, per site rules, not expected nor requested. Identification as to maker/pattern would be of definite interest. IP: Logged |
|
Dale Posts: 2132 |
posted 09-05-2006 03:08 AM
This spoon is one that turns up fairly regularly in silverplate lots. There is also a matching, more or less, salad set. The SSS mark is very confusing as it does not appear to be a silverplate makers mark. When new these pieces were premiums or 'included with'. For California Magazine among others. And they were frequently provided with glass or ceramic serving bowls. From what I have seen, your spoon came with a bowl, which was the center of attention. The idea was to make this a complete offering: bowl with spoon. The reason for the rat tail was to attach it to the rim, with the handle on the outside. I have encountered them still coupled with a tall glass ice bucket type glass. Who made these is a question no one has answered. Suspicion points to either IS or National. But there is no clear answer. IP: Logged |
|
jdye Posts: 16 |
posted 09-05-2006 08:21 AM
I'll follow that lead and report back. The SSS may be waves not letters. There is a ring posted Silver Silver Jewelry Forum, When, Where, What of Ring? with a very similar wave pattern. Then there was a company which made souvenier spoons that used S.S.S. in an oval. Thank you. IP: Logged |
|
Dale Posts: 2132 |
posted 09-06-2006 12:16 AM
Sometimes these spoons were used commercially. It used to be that restaurants and hotels, up into the early 60's, would have a large bowl of mints near the entrance. The mints were a sort of medium gray color, with a clove or anise flavor. The bowl would have several spoons of this type for patrons to take a handfull. Thanks for bringing this piece up. Commercial silver is enormously difficult to trace. IP: Logged |
|
Kimo Posts: 1627 |
posted 09-11-2006 04:49 PM
Color and feel are unreliable when determining for sure whether something is plated or solid silver. When you look at an object all you can see is the surface of the metal plus as deep as the deepest scratches. If something is plated then you are seeing solid silver but it may only be a paper thin (or thinner) layer on top. Silver can take on different colors not only depending on the exact metals that are used in its alloy but also in its tarnishing. 100% pure silver is terrible for making things since it is so soft so all silver you used making objects, including that silver used in plating objects, is an alloy of silver plus other metals. You can get some different tints depending on the mix. For the most part if an object looks like silver but is not clearly marked with a silver marking (Sterling, or a number like 800 or 925, or an official hallmark) you should expect it to be plated until proven otherwise. There are some exceptions but these tend to be older things. IP: Logged |
|
salmoned Posts: 336 |
posted 09-15-2006 04:01 PM
Not to contradict Swarter, but a specific gravity test done at home would be conclusive and non-destructive. It does, however, require the use of a reasonably precise scale (1/10 gram increments). Weigh the object, then weigh the object suspended in water. If you can't weigh the object in suspension, you could weigh the water (empty), then weigh the water with the object suspended in it. The difference in weight (in grams) is about equal to the volume of the object (in cubic centimeters). The weight in air divided by the volume equals the specific gravity (density). [This message has been edited by salmoned (edited 09-15-2006).] IP: Logged |
|
jdye Posts: 16 |
posted 09-15-2006 07:41 PM
Thank you! First free day to begin hunting down the scale will be Sept. 27. Local jewelers maybe? For two years, 1954-55, I did air weight/water weight on minute dirt samples for specific gravity and density. Very demanding, time intense, must not lose even a microscopic speck of the sample while getting it settled into the water in a 5 cc beeker, and then getting that beeker into the water contained in the 30 cc beeker. Two tray balance beam. Oil exploration. Testing on samples collected every 10 feet on a well that might be 1000 feet down. The day I did 100 samples in one 8 hr day set a new record for the company! IP: Logged |
|
salmoned Posts: 336 |
posted 09-19-2006 01:34 PM
I use an Ohaus "Centogram" triple beam for smaller objects (<10 oz) and an Ohaus 2 pan for large (<64 oz). Combined cost was less than $100 (with S/H) on eBay (used, but good condition). IP: Logged |
|
jdye Posts: 16 |
posted 09-19-2006 04:00 PM
Thank you again. Two notes back in the thread you typed: "..specific gravity (density)" might read (relative density) [This message has been edited by jdye (edited 10-07-2006).] 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 |
