posted 08-09-2004 12:57 AM            

I do research identifying a multitude of objects. A friend brought me a strange miniature pitcher that I have been unable to identify nor can I find the marks anywhere. The item is a very ornate footed pitcher with a hinged lid. My initial reaction is it is for some sort of oil. If it were larger I would say it was a serving piece. It's capacity can only be two tablespoons max. It has roses in the motif and two bas-relief busts, one on each side,whose hair is up in a Victorian like style. It has a miniature eagle statue on the lid.

There are only three marks and they are so small, even under magnification, that only two are really discernible. The first (from left to right) is surely a crown, similar to the English coronation crown (rounded, cross on top), the second is the number 800, which I have learned from your forum indicates this is probably European silver.

The third is the hardest. It appears to be something that resembles a crouching rabbit (I say this because the animal's haunches are evident) but has a long arching tail. Directly under this mark and part of it are the numbers 77.

Anyone have any ideas what this thing was used for or who the marks belong to?
Thanks