posted 11-05-2004 01:34 AM            

Hi,

Was wondering if anyone knows who these manufacturer marks belong to or any other information. I can't really make out the data on the other hallmarks on the items either.

1) "J & Co" in a rounded rectangle, and is on a coffee pot, tea pot, cream & sugar bowls and tray. The set is very ornately decorated and has some ivory trim on the lid and on the handle. I have seen sets that were similar to this one that were made in the late 1800's in Birmingham, France and Russia.
I can't make out what any of the 4 separate hallmarks within a square with cut off corners. They are all clear but what they are I have no idea. First one almost looks a bit like a sideways anchor with another character added to it. The last one, at first glance, I first thought was maybe a rabbit but that's not it. All the figures are very ornate. It also has like a 2 leaf clover or partial heart below the set of 4 marks. In total, this piece has a makers mark, 4 hallmarks in a row, the one other clover or partial heart like hallmark and also the number 1025.

2) "FWS" in a shield. It has 4 other marks. The first I can't tell what it is, then a semi ornate P, A and a S in a square with cut off corners.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Here are some photos of the marks.

posted 11-10-2004 04:46 AM            

Firstly, both your pieces are SILVERPLATE(as indicated by the EPNS markings, which stands Electroplated Nickel Silver).

As for the markings: neither is familiar to me. Under English regulations, Sterling Silver pieces must be inscribed with certain marks to state date of making, maker, place, and the lion passant (that means it is Sterling). Silver plate makers were not bound by these rules, and could do what they liked. However, as they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. They put pseudo hallmarks (which mean nothing) on their pieces to make them look like Sterling. However, due to the lack of regulations surrounding such marks, no records of the marks used was kept, and as such history and identification of such pieces are very difficult.