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1830 EC R ?? (Maltese silver)

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Author	Topic: 1830 EC R ?? (Maltese silver)
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11573 Registered: Apr 93	posted 10-05-2003 12:02 PM A few weeks ago a dealer friend in Sheffield, MA showed us these spoons. The dealer does have a pretty good working knowledge of international silver so we were surprised when they said that the marks were not familiar. Since they were uncertain about what was going with these three spoons, they didn't want to sell them to the public. June and I did not recognize the marks. In fact they are so unfamiliar that we are unsure where to begin to look. The dealer knows that we and you, the Silver Salon Forum members, like puzzles so they gave them to us for a song. June & I have been just too busy to even crack open Tardy's. Today I had a small amount of time so I could either do some research or photograph and post them. Here they are. What you do make of them? IP: Logged
adelapt Posts: 418 Registered: May 2003	posted 10-05-2003 04:11 PM Emilio Crittien, Malta, with the 'R' standing for the Roman standard of silver (which doesn't spring to mind just now). Cheers R IP: Logged
Bill H Posts: 31 Registered: Jan 2002	posted 10-05-2003 06:09 PM The "R" is an identified but unrecorded assy mark used during the Sir Thomas Maitland Period (1829-1853). Three letters were used to denote the type of silver used--Maltese,"M" (10 1/2 deniers); Roman, "R" (11 deniers) or French, "F" (11 1/2 deniers). Bill IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11573 Registered: Apr 93	posted 10-06-2003 10:32 AM Thanks. Wow Malta. Who would of thunk? I don't think I have ever knowingly seen silver from Malta. The cartouche around the R is not the same as in our Tardy's. I was wondering what reference(s) you used? Or maybe it is time for us to get a newer Tardy's. Ours is dated 1985. Are you also suggesting that the 1830 mark is the date and that the EC mark is the maker? Malta was an English colony (1812-1964). So I am wondering if the marks were voluntarily added or was there a Malta Hall of Goldsmiths? Thanks again. IP: Logged
adelapt Posts: 418 Registered: May 2003	posted 10-06-2003 04:19 PM Yep. "EC" was the maker's mark for Emilio, the date stamp was for the year it says, and to my recollection, whatever had been the law previously, during the British period the marking was voluntary. But I stand to be corrected. Bill, where are you? Cheers, R IP: Logged
Bill H Posts: 31 Registered: Jan 2002	posted 10-06-2003 11:06 PM The most current [1992] reference on Malta is "Antique Maltese Domestic Silver" by Jimmy Farrugla. Mr. Farrugia was born on Malta, was active in the government and has studied Maltese silver for more than 30 years. Formal assay marks have been used since at least 1530 and into modern times. During the British occupation (1800-1964)assay marks were used and not changed despite the fact that several individuals acted as Civil Commissionner and as Governor. Sir Thomas Maitland was one such Governor. During this period, six recorded assay marks were used. There were also apparently at least five marks which were used but not recorded as official. Such is the mark in question. Bill IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11573 Registered: Apr 93	posted 10-12-2003 02:49 PM Thanks Bill. Now to find a copy. IP: Logged
fidda Posts: 45 Registered: Nov 2004	posted 11-10-2004 04:04 PM Hi thanks for drawing my attention to this Scott, well i do live in Malta but surprisingly enough am not that familiar with our local silver. In fact it is quite hard to find antique Maltese silver in our shops because it is quite ''rare'' and will carry a high price. I do have some Maltese silver myself including some spoons but have not seen this mark yet. It may not be surprising since i do not collect this silver but i will look at some books tomorrow including Jimmy Farrugia's which is the best one arround i am sure if this is Maltese it will be found here. I will keep you posted on this. IP: Logged
ozfred Posts: 87 Registered: Sep 2002	posted 11-10-2004 09:37 PM Another publication is Victor F. Denaro "The Goldsmiths of Malta and their Marks" published in Florence in MCMLXXII, Leo S. Olschki Editore. Incidently the National Library of Malta has a writeup on the silver tobacco box presented the Grand Master Hompesch before he went into exile that may be of interest. IP: Logged
Silver Lyon Posts: 363 Registered: Oct 2004	posted 11-11-2004 05:13 AM I think that the maker's full name is Emidio Critien He first registers his mark December 1st. 1818 and made mostly flatware in all three standards. Another book worth seeing in addition to the two excellent volumes already mentioned is "The Silver of Malta" by Alaine Apap Bologna, published 1995 by MAG publications. Alaine was head of Christie's silver in Geneva. It is worth noting that the derniers are represented as the amount of pure silver in 12 derniers - thus: M - Maltese standard - 87.5% (.875) R - Roman standard - 91.6% (.916) F - French standard - 95.8% (.958) IP: Logged

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