What was this used for/help with maker's mark

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What was this used for/help with maker's mark

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Author	Topic: What was this used for/help with maker's mark
doc Posts: 730 Registered: Jul 2003	posted 09-27-2007 07:58 PM I acquired this this summer in a box lot at an auction; it was the reason I bought the lot. It's obviously a tray of some sort and it has bun feet on the bottom. The "handle" is inlaid lapis lazuli. The tray portion measures 3 1/2 inches by 2 1/2 inches. My thought for use is a pin tray. What do others think? I'd also like help with the maker's mark-it's marked for London 1899 and the maker's mark is JGB over EEB in a four lobed cartouche. IP: Logged
agleopar Posts: 850 Registered: Jun 2004	posted 09-28-2007 07:40 AM Hi Doc, Charming and as always good eye! It has the feel of a card tray? I can not help with the mark and wonder if London makers marks for the last century are listed officially or not, does any one know? Why can't the assay office publish a list of 20th and 21st C smiths and their marks? IP: Logged
Silver Lyon Posts: 363 Registered: Oct 2004	posted 09-28-2007 10:35 AM A poetic piece of silver? Your piece was made by John George & Ernest Edward Betjemann - this last the Father of Britain's best and most loved poets of the 20th century! They are listed in 1896 as 'dresing case & bag manufacturers, makers of tantalus spirit and perfume stands etc.. art workers in onyx and various marbles. I vote for perfume stand! - this is a guess What do others think?? (This from John Culme's Directory of Gold & Silversmiths 1838-1914 pub. by Antique Collector's Club) IP: Logged
doc Posts: 730 Registered: Jul 2003	posted 09-28-2007 11:24 AM I think that would make sense. I thought that the tray was a bit small for cards, and that the depth of the tray versus the rim indicated the need to keep something from falling out. A perfume tray would make great scense (pardon the pun!), as you would want to keep any drips or bottle breaks within the tray. The box lot also contained a couple of small scent bottles; they were not similarly marked, but perhaps the former user had put them together. Perhaps it's me, but I find the design somewhat "masculine" in form. IP: Logged
jersey Posts: 1203 Registered: Feb 2005	posted 09-28-2007 01:47 PM Hi Doc! If in fact its use was for a dressing tray ensemble, & if in fact it was for a man, perhaps its use purpose is for holding collar buttons or stays. Just a thought. Jersey IP: Logged
doc Posts: 730 Registered: Jul 2003	posted 09-28-2007 03:30 PM Ah, the mystery may be unraveling, as there was also a set of men's silver backed brushes and other items in the lot. The auction was of the estate of an army colonel, who might well have used the tray to put his medals and bars in! IP: Logged

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