posted 02-24-2008 05:40 PM            

Theo Olsens was and is still of one of the important silver/gold smith producers in Bergen, his relative still running the business in Bergen.

Is it possible to send a photo with your topic so we can see which pattern it's concern. The current system requires in Norway only a silver standard mark and a maker's mark. The old Norwegian standard of .830 purity silver is still used, but beginning around 1920 .925 purity began replacing it and is now the foremost standard in use.Town names are sometimes included with the required marks and the letters "NM"(Nørsk Monster) are sometimes seen on flatware, they are an indication of patent or copyright. The Theodor Olsen worked in Bergen from 1893-1937. One of my pieces has TO initials and perhaps is it family related but than around 1870.

There are more important names in Bergen like Magnus Aase, Brødrene (brothers) Lohne I've learned that from another member, Marius Hammer and in the 17th century Bergen was the important silver trade city of Norway. The "rose" pattern is one still one of the most popular reproduced silver flatware in Norway. The firm Theodor Olsens Eftf brings still a lot of different patterns nowadays. I believe that some patterns will reproduced by other firms in Norway after paying the producing rights. I hope I have explained some things and I hope you can show some more of the Norsk Sølv bestikk at your side(if it's possible of course?) And perhaps you can explain which silver objects you prefer to collect.

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