Posts: 1792
Registered: Apr 2000

posted 05-04-2008 04:41 PM            

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I saw a small handwrought sterling bowl at the flea market today with interesting marks. It was kind of dear, which is why I didn't buy it and cannot provide photos. But I am still curious about the marks.

My first instinct was that the dish was Mexican, and I confirmed this in the Mexican section of Tardy (p. 301, the large eagle; the mark itself was big, at about 1/2" in diameter). Unfortunately, the Mexican section of Tardy does not explain when this mark was in use, although I would guess no later than 1945 (suspect the bowl was ca 30s). The other marks were "STERLING/P. A. 925" in raised lettering within a recessed box, the letter "M" with a small open circle above it, and a zigzag assay mark, which I had hitherto only seen on Continental silver. Well apparently at least some older Mexican silver was assayed in this manner as well. I don't have a good reference on early Mexican marks. Does the "M" stand for Mexico City? Does anybody know who "P.A." is, and when the large round eagle mark was used?

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Posts: 845
Registered: Aug 2005

posted 05-04-2008 05:37 PM            

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Mexican marks of that period are not very well documented still; most sources cover either the period up to 1936 (with the latter end of that period not as well covered as earlier periods) or the post-1948 period.

The M surmounted by an o is the old 'hallmark' (quality guarantee) for Mexico City.

There are many variations on the eagle mark, but if it's like the large example shown in Tardy that's most likely late 1930s to early 1940s.

I found no trace for the STERLING / P.A. 925 mark.

The zigzag assay sampling 'mark' is common on older Mexican pieces. Probably even essential prior to 1936.

I have not encountered large numbers of fakes from that period, but if you go back to the earlier 'colonial' period they are very common - at least according to Boylan's Spanish Colonial SIlver. It has never been clear to me, however, how she determined that the ones indicated as fakes are so, and I'm somewhat sceptical of those attributions. Even the so-called fakes I've seen are sterling, and most seem to have been made in or near the period represented. Perhaps they were tax dodges, but I've never seen that suggested.

If well made and of good design I would consider a piece of that period to be a fairly desirable one.

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Posts: 1792
Registered: Apr 2000

posted 05-04-2008 09:54 PM            

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Thanks for the info, FWG. That answers my question.

It was heavy for its size and moderately well made, but I was hardly bowled over by the design. Somebody just pointed me to an antique website having another piece with the same PA maker's mark (the piece is one of those miniature sombreros...), but they didn't ID the mark. Seems like it was probably somebody working in the '30s and '40s.

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Posts: 169
Registered: Jun 2004

posted 05-05-2008 11:44 PM            

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The little book of Mexican silver trade and hallmarks gives the eagle mark as starting in the late 40's. I haven't found a mark like you described listed, and the only PA in the list of initial marks is for an unascribed maker in Taxco.

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