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tline3open  Star & Cornucopia Pattern

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Author Topic:   Star & Cornucopia Pattern
ajones2031@aol.com

Posts: 11
Registered: Jan 2000

iconnumber posted 01-04-2000 11:55 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ajones2031@aol.com     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
[01-0085]

I have two sterling dessert forks hallmarked RW, London, 1839....

Does anyone have any info?...

The pattern is Star and Cornucopia...

I was told the maker was Robert Wallace, but cannot seem to find any info.

I am very much a novice but am delighted that I found this forum.

CJ in Memphis

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ajones2031@aol.com

Posts: 11
Registered: Jan 2000

iconnumber posted 01-06-2000 06:13 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for ajones2031@aol.com     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Maybe a pix will help someone help me....I was told that the forks were made by Robert Williams 1839 London....Star Cornucopia pattern...I want more but am having NO luck

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Scott Martin
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Posts: 11573
Registered: Apr 93

iconnumber posted 01-09-2000 05:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Scott Martin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Do the hallmarks look like either of the ones below?


or


The above are the London hallmarks for 1838-39 and 1839-40.

Please post photos of all marks as this will help everyone to better answer your questions. It is also helpful to show both sides of a flatware pattern.

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ajones2031@aol.com

Posts: 11
Registered: Jan 2000

iconnumber posted 01-09-2000 05:34 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ajones2031@aol.com     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Here goes,

I don't have a lope so I really cannot give a definite answer..

I bought these pieces at a very reputable dealer in London who gave me all info....

Here is my attempt at the hallmarks...

Please remember I am an amateur amateur....

[image gone]


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Scott Martin
Forum Master

Posts: 11573
Registered: Apr 93

iconnumber posted 01-10-2000 07:47 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Scott Martin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I recommend that you get yourself a good 10X loop & a closeup lens for your camera.

You are right, the photo of marks is a bit hard to make out.
Are they (l to r) :

  1. RW in a rectangle cartouche
    No periods. No Space. A serif font.
  2. ?
  3. Leopards Head.
  4. ?
  5. Sovereigns Head

Which (#2 or #4) is the date letter and is it a C or D?
The cartouche is very important. On the date letter and lion passant are the top left and right corners cut off and is there a dimple on the bottom like in a curly bracket ( "}" ).
I am assuming that the mark to the right after the Sovereigns Head is part of the pattern?

More than one smith used an "RW" in an rectangle cartouche. If the London dealer is correct then the maker's name is spelled Robert Walliss.

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ajones2031@aol.com

Posts: 11
Registered: Jan 2000

iconnumber posted 01-10-2000 09:34 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for ajones2031@aol.com     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have a lope on the way.....thnx for the first tip....Robert Walliss....as soon as I can see them, I will post what they are. "Half blind from squinting @ hallmarks" collector in Memphis appreciates your response....

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Scott Martin
Forum Master

Posts: 11573
Registered: Apr 93

iconnumber posted 01-10-2000 06:59 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Scott Martin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Robert Walliss mark was first recorded November1836 (6 President Street) and was last recorded October 1849.

In Ian Pickford's book, Silver Flatware English, Irish, Scottish 1660-1980 (page 130), he shows a "Star and Cornucopia" pattern by Lias Brothers.

"..... Known examples were made 1839/40."
"From the symbolism present, it is possible that this pattern was inspired by some contemporary event such as Queen Victoria's coronation, or her marriage in 1840 to Prince Albert. ...... No service is know to exist; building a service would probably be impossible"

Lias Brothers and Robert Walliss were both working in 1839/40. It is unclear if either party was the designer. Without a photo of the back of your spoon ...... Assuming your back is identical, we could speculate that the pattern was designed and/or made by another and just retailed by Lias and Walliss.

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ajones2031@aol.com

Posts: 11
Registered: Jan 2000

iconnumber posted 01-11-2000 01:13 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ajones2031@aol.com     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Scott...

I am really grateful that you have gotten this far.

I have been looking for a forum like this for 2 years...telling all my "sterling" friends about it. Wish I had more to contribute than just my love of the material and the lore of the silversmiths. My local library is very limited, as is my budget, so I spend a lot of time at the book stores drinking coffee and perusing their limited supply.

Memphis is, as I previously stated, not a mecca for silver. It is the home of The National Ornamental Museum which frequently hosts silver exhibitions. I did meet John Marshall, Seattle silversmith, there as I volunteer during their annual repair days.

If anyone wants to know more about the museum, please email privately. It is a fascinating place w/ a wonderful live on site curator, Jim Wallace...high above the banks of the mighty Mississippi river.

Each year, metal artisans from all over the US/Canada come to Memphis for a 3 day repair day...we can fix anything except a broken heart is their motto..I am a miniscule cog in this wonderful function...should do more..

I will post the marks when I get a lope....thanks and sorry I digressed

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ajones2031@aol.com

Posts: 11
Registered: Jan 2000

iconnumber posted 01-16-2000 11:03 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for ajones2031@aol.com     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Ok...I have it....loping is not easy for me...but here goes....

From left to right

RW in rectangular box

Lion

Leopards Face

D

Sovereign

I am exhausted....

I hope I have been explicit enough....thnx in advance

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