posted 04-19-2008 07:22 AM            

I can't lay my hands on the reference to Andronicus. I assume it crops up somewhere in Roman literature or history, but the answer is that his work probably doesn't survive - or cannot be identified if it does.

About 1500 pieces of late Roman and early Byzantine silver are known to survive. Of these, some 200 have control stamps which identify the Emperor and various officials but do not reveal the actual maker.

Occasionally a maker can be identified from an inscription. Thus two dishes in the 4th century Kaiseraugst hoard are inscribed by Euticius of Naissus and Pasylypus of Thessalonike respectively.

More usually the inscription will identify an owner. A couple of my spoons which are probably 6th rather than 5th century have monograms that probably relate to the original owner as well as inscribed crosses and saint's names - Thomas on one and Michael on the other.

Sorry if this does not shed the light you would like!

posted 04-19-2008 03:34 PM            

Thank you so much for your response.

Basically that is just the info I was looking for. I just didn't want to miss a piece, (in case I ever came across one). Chances are I never will either.

Enjoy the day!

Jersey

posted 04-19-2008 06:22 PM            

A word of warning if you are ever minded to buy a bit of Roman silver. There will usually be a few small items on offer through online auctions if you search under “antiquities”. Many of them seem to be fakes. You may be interested in the comments from a dealer with whom I raised this in connection with a spoon (my main collecting interest):

quote:

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“No offense taken. I could issue a COA, but I have to be honest, written by me it would have no weight. If you have any doubts about anything bought from me, you can always return it for a full refund. It is not impossible to be a fake made to look old. No dealer should claim that his item is 100% genuine, unless he had excavated the item himself, and didn't do that with this one. We buy most of the stuff from fairs around Europe, and the sellers are pretty much the same Eastern European guys.

Thank you for the information, I describe them usually following the words of the treasure hunters, which is totally unreliable. For the spoons I don't have any literature.”

---

That said, I have managed to acquire a few honest pieces (but as many that I now think are at least doubtful).

Good luck!

David

posted 04-19-2008 09:11 PM            

I just wrote a long response & it got lost!

Again.......I would never consider an online anything regarding pieces of that nature. I would want to see, feel, touch etc. & have a lifetime guarantee from the Queen of England & the Pope first!

If you do have any examples of what you may (or may not) have as potentially true period pieces it would be interesting to see them. No one will hold you responsible for their authenticity.

BTW Are you anywhere near East Yorkshire? I have a friend, sadly (for me), returning to the area in a few months.

Again, thank you for your time & insight.

Jersey

posted 04-20-2008 03:58 PM            

I agree that buying on the strength of a photograph and probably inexpert (if not dishonest) description is not exactly satisfactory and indeed risky.

I still have to master how to get my photos on the web, let alone then post them for the forum, but shall try to share when I get there.

We are in Hertford, just north of London. Yorkshire is a further 200 miles to the North. One of my daughters lives in York - a lovely city in a lovely county.

posted 04-20-2008 06:37 PM            

You & I are both challenged regarding posting of photo's so I understand where you are coming from. Hopefully we will get there soon!

I also stand corrected about my friend, she is moving to Cambridge. She was also living in Exeter & Beverly.

Jersey

posted 04-20-2008 06:48 PM            

Glad I am not the only incompetent. Cambridge is where I wasted but enjoyed my undergraduate years. Another lovely town about 45 mins up the road from where we now live.

David