posted 11-03-2004 10:42 PM            

Until the end of World War I, the territories which made up former Czechoslovakia (Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia) were part of the Austrian Empire and were, therefore subject to that country's hallmarking regulations. After their independence and unification in 1918, however, the new country established its own hallmarking legislation, effective in 1922. The rabbit's head was thenceforth used on small articles of 2nd standard (.900) silver until 1 Jan 1929, when new marks were introduced, excluding the rabbit.

The rabbit's head was re-introduced in 1963, however, and is still in use. It is now used on items of 3rd (.900), 4th (.835), 5th (.800) & 6th (.750) standard silver (though the 6th standard of .750 was abolished in 1993).

The key is the standard number, which should be to left of the rabbit's head. If it's 2, then it's 1922-1928. If it's 3, 4 or 5, it's 1963-present; if it's 6, it's 1963-1993.

As for the crowned T, I suspect it's a maker's mark, though whose I haven't a clue. I should mention, however, that with the post 1963 rabbit's head mark there should be a letter indicating the assay office, and "T" was the letter for the Turnov office.

posted 11-04-2004 06:05 AM            

I think this Rabbit head might be a 19thC Paris Mark.

Has anyone any ideas please?

posted 11-04-2004 10:12 AM            

The French system uses a hare for silver which has been exported tax-free and later re-imported with the payment of tax. This is an example, with the head of Mercury which is the tax-exempt export mark:

posted 11-04-2004 12:16 PM            

You will note, however, that the rabbit head here is not the French "return" mark which was introduced in 1888 and which is still in use. The 1888 return mark is in an elongated octagon and should be accompanied by an export mark, both as seen in Vyvyan's photo.

The mark on your bottle is indeed French, but it was the mark for small silverware assayed in Paris from 16 Aug 1819 until 10 May 1838, and it guaranteed the minimum fineness of .800.

The crowned T is the maker's mark, partially struck. It is almost certainly that of T. Cattaert, whose mark was registered in 1809 and re-registered in 1817: TC in a lozenge, with a basket above and a star below. He was a jeweler and maker of combs and "garnitures de cristeaux" or (surprise, surprise) silver mounts for crystal.

He is listed in Paris at 10 rue Jean Jacques Rousseau in 1811, at 17 rue Tiquetonne in 1814, at 6 rue Mandar in 1816, and at 25 rue du Fabourg St. Denis in 1822, as well as in almanacs of 1811-1820. There is no date for the termination of his mark.

So, I would say that your bottle is definitely French Restauration, 1819-1838, and very probably by T. Cattaert, circa 1820.

Hope this helps!