posted 11-02-2002 09:10 AM            

From ozfred:

quote:

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Might I submit a mystery?
It is a 'silver' colored circular container 3 inches across x 3 1/2 inches high, 1/8 inch thick walls and weighs 660 grams, considering its small size the weight is surprisingly very heavy.

Three 3/8 inch bands encircle the body and the twist locks lid has a central garnet with six old cut diamonds set into a yellow gold disc.

Four marks are in the inside base and inside the lid, are an eagle's head, AF in the diamond lozenge (similar to attached Alphonse Fouquet's mark), IP in a square punch and 18K.

The eagle's head appears to be the French mark for less than 50% gold.

Some basic tests indicate that it is not platinum or stainless steel so the heavy grey metal is not identified.

Might some readers be able to help with information, please?

Sincerely,
Fred Sinfield.

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posted 03-04-2003 04:59 PM            

I was just looking through some past posts and came across yours.

Could the eagle be the french eagle's head for 18 karat gold? (That's been in use since 1838.)

It wouldd explain the 18k... No luck yet on the IP?

I like the piece... let me know what you find...

posted 03-06-2003 08:46 AM            

Ju·da·ism - n: - n:

1. The monotheistic religion of the Jews, tracing its origins to Abraham and having its spiritual and ethical principles embodied chiefly in the Hebrew Scriptures and the Talmud.
   
2. Conformity to the traditional ceremonies
3. The cultural, religious, and social practices and beliefs of the Jews.
   
4. The Jews considered as a people or community.

posted 05-19-2004 01:43 AM            

Was this used by French goldsmiths in the latter part of the 19th century, such as Alphonse Fouquet?

Jewelers have not been able to identify the metal using some basic tests. Stainless steel has been suggested but this metal came in existence some years after A. Fouquet retired (assuming that is his mark).

Short of assaying, which would damage it, are there other test that might identify this mystery metal?

posted 05-19-2004 12:58 PM            

[cgo.com/or/objets/poincons.htm - link gone from the Internet]

The fourth eagle, without a frame, is: "Poinçons appliqués sur les ouvrages de fabrication française essayés au touchau."

No purity is specified.

posted 05-25-2004 06:34 AM            

Electrum was the alloy of gold and silver found in nature in parts of Asia Minor {Greece , Turkey } . The 19th cen. revival of ancient metalwork design and tech made a fad of Electrum . The alloy most common was 50% gold 50% silver.12 K gold , so low gold hallmark. One of the old tech ideas revived was to "depleation gild" Electrum. Wax was put on then cut away in a design , then acid used to "depleat" the silver from the surface. This leaves a layer of fuzzy gold on the surface . Burnishing it down makes a smooth layer of gold.

Ever wonder about those old silver pieces that look pale gold inside? Gold could not be totally removed by 18th cent. methods . Trace amounts build up on surfaces depleted by acidic food or drink{wine!} and make that glow people love and call "a worn wash" of gilding!

If electrum ,it should test as 10 or 12K gold. An electical resistance test would work , Specific gravity , anything above 11 is most likely a gold alloy.

The last possible alloy is the odd platinum sisters alloy with silver. Paladium , Rhodium and silver . That was almost always South American. It would not read as gold , but be very dense .

posted 08-27-2004 10:40 PM            

Silicone .55
Sulphur 1.07
Chromium 17.92
Iron 71.77
Nickel 8.70

Other inquiries yielded no responses, thus the mystery remains as to the maker's mark that looks similar to Alphone Fouquet.

One conclusion could be that his grandson, Jean Fouquet, used the "AF" mark.

Have others encountered anything similar to this container?