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 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 Continental / International Silver
 German Hallmark Help
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| Author | Topic: German Hallmark Help |
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nihontochicken Posts: 289 |
posted 06-29-2004 12:57 AM
  
I have a serving piece marked "WIMMER" and with a hallmark that closely resembles those for Munich, Germany as portrayed on the last line of p.44 and first line of p.45 in Tardy. It closely resembles the mark shown for 1769, except that the shield does not show the divots just above the lower point as evidenced in the book. The numbers in the hallmark are "6" and "3", ostensibly indicating 1763 as the date of manufacture. However, the style of the piece appears to be that of many decades later, a fiddle pattern with quite prominent, rounded shoulders. The stem "paddle" has a mid-ridge and the end is turned up. There is no drop. Is this piece really c.1763, or were there 19th century hallmarks of similar type not shown, or shown elsewhere, in Tardy? TIA! IP: Logged |
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blakstone unregistered |
posted 07-01-2004 12:15 PM
The style of mark you mention was indeed used in Munich well up into the 19th century, until the unification of Germany and the subsequent nationalization of silver marking laws in the 1880s. Towards the middle of the century, the numbers were often omitted, but I see no reason to think that your spoon is not from 1863 rather than a century earler, particularly in light of your description of it. IP: Logged |
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Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 07-01-2004 01:43 PM
blakstone, Your contributions to the Silver Salon Forums are very much appreciated. Since April 4th you have participated in 11 threads/posts. I would like to suggest that you register. There are benefits to registering; for example, being able to edit your post. Also it ensures that you will be able to keep the user ID blakstone. Right now anyone can use the ID blakstone or someone else could registered using the ID blakstone and effectivity prevent you from using blakstone as your ID. Please register (click here). I look forward to you becoming a full fledge member of the Silver Salon Forums. IP: Logged |
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nihontochicken Posts: 289 |
posted 07-01-2004 11:36 PM
Thanks, Blakstone! I really couldn't believe the 1763 Tardy inferred date, even though perhaps the Germans were close behind the French, and ahead of the Brits and Americans, in adopting the fiddle pattern. For a 1763 origin, the "paddle" I could maybe go for, but not the wide, rounded shoulders and lack of drop. 1863 seems a smidge late, but very much more believable. BTW, if you might afford me some advice re a pending purchase, when did the French switch from marking the bowl to marking the stem on serving pieces, in roughly the 1800 time period, or somewhat before? TIA! IP: Logged |
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blakstone Posts: 493 |
posted 09-02-2004 10:59 PM
Update: Thought you might like to know that I found out the maker of your serving piece is Michael Wimmer I, who became a member of the Munich guild in 1829. He died in 1863 and was succeeded in the guild in 1864 Michael Wimmer II, presumably his son. They both used the marks "M. Wimmer", "Wimmer" or "MW", but as the younger Wimmer was not permitted to use the mark until 1864 when he became a master, there is no doubt that your piece is by Wimmer the elder or, at least, the workshop under his direction. (Ref: Matthais Klein, "Müncher Goldschmiedegewerbe") IP: Logged |
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nihontochicken Posts: 289 |
posted 09-03-2004 12:00 AM
Thanks once more, Blakstone! I suppose the piece was made in 1863, the last year of Wimmer the Elder's life. Sigh, no retirement for the old silversmith, "work 'till you drop." Then again, maybe that's a blessing, depending on whether you enjoy what you do for a living. I imagine there was no consternation on Mr. Wimmer's part as to whether his social security retirement cost-of-living increases would keep up with inflation! At least he left behind some pieces that would be appreciated by succeeding generations. Just like you and me! Well, you maybe ...  /IP: Logged |
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