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 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 20th/21st Century Silversmiths
 BF?
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| Author | Topic: BF? |
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Paul Lemieux Posts: 1792 |
posted 12-28-2003 06:57 PM
  
Does anybody recognize the mark of "BF" surrounded by two fishes? It is on a copper and sterling bracelet I have had in my collection for awhile. It has a definite Arts and Crafts feel and seems to be ca 1900-1920. I will try to post pictures tomorrow. [This message has been edited by Paul Lemieux (edited 12-28-2003).] IP: Logged |
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Paul Lemieux Posts: 1792 |
posted 01-21-2004 04:59 PM
Here are pictures of the bracelet. I would be interested in hearing any suggestions about the maker or what the inscription means. IP: Logged |
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Patrick Vyvyan Posts: 640 |
posted 01-21-2004 06:15 PM
This is a medical id bracelet, apparently there are two types of blood type classification. The older is Moss, the more recent is the International: "The four common groups have been numbered variously. The Moss classification I, II, III, and IV was used extensively until the adoption of the International A, B, O classification, which describes the groups according to the presence or absence of the specific cell factors, which are of two types, A and B." But as for the monogram, sorry! IP: Logged |
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Paul Lemieux Posts: 1792 |
posted 01-21-2004 07:27 PM
Patrick, thanks for the great information. According to a website I turned up on a Google search, the Moss system was modified around WWII, so presumably this bracelet dates to around that time, when hospitals etc. would still be transitioning from the Moss system to the Int'l. That's a little later than I thought from the style of the bracelet. Unless the international system was in use for awhile before it became the standard. Would "WAL 0706" be a phone number? [This message has been edited by Paul Lemieux (edited 01-21-2004).] IP: Logged |
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Patrick Vyvyan Posts: 640 |
posted 01-22-2004 10:50 AM
It's amazing where the Silver Forum leads us! Anyway, it seems the International system was established by Jan Jansky in 1907. The Moss system was developed independently three years later by William Lorenzo Moss. According to one web site, the International system became predominant after the First World War. An interesting article can be found here: A century of blood type science So, it does seem there is a strong possibility that your bracelet is earlier as the style suggests. IP: Logged |
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Paul Lemieux Posts: 1792 |
posted 01-22-2004 01:28 PM
Thanks for another great find, Patrick. I guess when I read "the Moss system was modified around WWII" I should have remembered to verify it elsewhere. The 1910-1920 time frame seems much more likely. IP: Logged |
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Brent Posts: 1507 |
posted 01-22-2004 02:26 PM
A very interesting piece for discussion. A couple of thoughts: 1.) The WAL 0706 on the front might be an early telephone number. 2.) The only "double fish" mark that I can think of was used by Codman & Codman; I wonder if there is a connection. Failing that, it may be a kind of rebus, and the maker's last name might be Fish / Fisch / Fishman, or something like that. Brent IP: Logged |
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rat Posts: 63 |
posted 02-18-2004 04:47 AM
Paul, It looks very much like the hallmark for Hazel Blake French, though she is best known for the use of Sandwich glass in her jewelry designs. I had a brooch (clip) by her, and her mark is HBF between two fishes, just like your drawing. Her work is very rare. Waltham, MA is just outside of Boston, so it is within the realm of possibility. The Sandwich Glass Museum had an exhibit with her work last year (I did not get a chance to go). They may be able to confirm the hallmark. - rat IP: Logged |
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Callie Posts: 93 |
posted 02-18-2004 10:03 AM
Interesting! Is Hazel French American? IP: Logged |
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FredZ Posts: 1070 |
posted 02-18-2004 10:09 AM
Callie, Ms. French was American and created wonderful pieces using the glass found in the abandoned kilns around Sandwich, Mass. The exhibit Rat spoke of was accompanied by a small booklet with images and biography by Glenn Griffin. I believe the booklet is still available from the Museum in Sandwich. Rat was right on the mark when he identified this mark as that of Hazel Blake French. The small booklet documents the history of this incredible craftswoman. The exhibit at the Sandwich Glass Museum was on display from May 3 to December 31 of 2003. Fred [This message has been edited by FredZ (edited 02-18-2004).] [This message has been edited by FredZ (edited 02-18-2004).] IP: Logged |
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Brent Posts: 1507 |
posted 07-10-2007 10:24 AM
  Here is beautiful little seagull pin by Hazel B. French. Just one of those treasures you encounter when you least expect it! Brent IP: Logged |
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FredZ Posts: 1070 |
posted 07-10-2007 02:56 PM
Cograts Brent, I have an unsigned pair of earrings that I will post. Fred IP: Logged |
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argentum1 Posts: 602 |
posted 08-09-2007 08:36 AM
Blood History This site gives a timeline from ancient times up to 2002. It includes a history of blood grouping and cross typing of blood. It includes the discovery of blood storage. IP: Logged |
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chicagosilver Posts: 227 |
posted 08-09-2007 08:03 PM
Paul's Hazel French bracelet was very nice, but an auction had an amazing silver/copper/gold one recently: quote: IP: Logged |
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Paul Lemieux Posts: 1792 |
posted 08-23-2007 04:31 PM
I saw that bracelet too and it was a stunning example. Her most desirable (and probably most aesthetically pleasing) designs are those that use colorful pieces of Sandwich glass. IP: Logged |
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rat Posts: 63 |
posted 02-01-2008 01:43 AM
I *finally* found another Hazel Blake French piece to replace the one I used to have in my collection... It is a huge stunning brooch (about as big as my palm) with a large piece of Sandwich glass (dark blue with colored swirl in the center) in a handwrought hammered setting. Found locally on the West Coast, where I wouldn't expect to find her work: IP: Logged |
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FredZ Posts: 1070 |
posted 02-01-2008 09:03 AM
What a stunning pendant! Congratulations on such a find. I have a pair of unsigned earrings that I am sending to a friend that match a pendant he owns. Fred IP: Logged |
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rat Posts: 63 |
posted 02-02-2008 09:19 PM
Thanks, Fred. It was a lucky find. I had been looking for a piece of Hazel Blake French jewelry to replace one I used to own, which I sold years ago to one of Ms. French's descendants. It took me 5 years to find another piece that I could afford. She made a lot of jewelry sets, so I'm not surprised to hear about a pair of unsigned earrings. - rat IP: Logged |
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