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 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 Continental / International Silver
 935 & Enamel Holders. WMW Mark. American?
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| Author | Topic: 935 & Enamel Holders. WMW Mark. American? |
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cheli1213 Posts: 5 |
posted 01-29-2005 10:37 AM
  
[01-2155] Hi, I have a pair of sterling & enamel figural place card holders. One of an elephant (shown) and the other of a rabbit. I have searched and can't find the maker. I purchased two silver books so far, and am only more confused. The mark is very faint so I have also included a drawing of the marks. Are these American? I appreciate your consideration. IP: Logged |
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blakstone Posts: 493 |
posted 01-29-2005 11:38 AM
I really cannot see the left mark in the photograph too well, but based on what I can see (and your illustration) it - the flower mark - appears to be that used in Switzerland from 1917 to 1934 on imported items. If it is that mark (a closer, clearer photo would help) all it really can do is narrow the date down (and, for what it's worth, stylistically, 1917-1934 looks right.) The problem is that if it's an import mark, it means the item was made somewhere other than Switzerland and then imported there. But "935" (which was Switzerland's first standard of the time, 935/1000 pure silver) definitely suggests a continental origin. Without the hallmark of the country of origin, though, pinning down the maker is difficult. You get a feel for these things after a while and, if continental, I think you can rule out France, Italy, the Netherlands and Austria for various reasons (lack of export marks, shape of the maker's marks, etc.) That pretty much leaves Germany, which was the top silver exporter to Switzerland (and most places on the continent, for that matter) or a Scandinavian country, all of which were doing fabulous enamelwork at the time. Again, a close-up photo of the maker's marks might help. [This message has been edited by blakstone (edited 01-29-2005).] IP: Logged |
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cheli1213 Posts: 5 |
posted 01-29-2005 01:21 PM
Thank you so much for the information. I have tried to get a better photo of the first mark, but even with a loupe it is difficult for me to see. I am confident that the mark on the right is a small "W" on top of a large "W". I have added a few additional photos, even taken through a loupe, but I'm afraid they are not very clear. May I also add that they have a gold tint to them. They have not been aggressively polished for fear that the gold tone /tint is supposed to be there, or it could possibly just be that the tarnish appears gold in color. Can you recommend care / cleaning? I imagine this was part of a larger set with many different animals, perhaps for a children's party. How I wish I could see them all in original condition! A lucky child indeed! IP: Logged |
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blakstone Posts: 493 |
posted 01-29-2005 03:33 PM
Still no luck on the maker's mark, but the Swiss import mark looks right. On it (the flower) there should be a symbol on the lower right: a star, cross or letter. (Reading this can take a steady hand and strong loupe!) If it is the Swiss import mark, this symbol will identify the assay office (and therefore city) it came through. IP: Logged |
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