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| Author | Topic: No Mark |
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bsmlhm Posts: 15 |
posted 02-14-2005 03:35 PM
  
I hope you don't mind so many questions, but I am on a mission to identify each piece of silver we have and the knowledge here is awesome. I can spend all evening reading your Board. Now my question: I have 2 round sterling pieces, about 5" around that I believe were used to hold wine bottles(?), they were a wedding gift from my father to my mother with both their initials and the date - Dec. 1936 on the inside rim, on the under side of each is Sterling, but no other identifying mark, why is this? IP: Logged |
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agleopar Posts: 850 |
posted 02-14-2005 06:28 PM
The diameter is right for wine bottle coasters, they usually have a wood base with felt to protect the table. It is possible there are no other marks beside the sterling mark, but if you really look hard every where you may find a makers mark. If not they possibly were production by a manufacturer for resale by a retail store. IP: Logged |
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bsmlhm Posts: 15 |
posted 02-14-2005 11:52 PM
Thank you so much, there positively is no mark so it must be as you say. These are all silver, however I do have some with the wood inserts although they are larger around. IP: Logged |
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Dale Posts: 2132 |
posted 02-15-2005 01:10 AM
Sometimes these are the offerings found at museum gift shops. In this case, they duplicate pieces in collections. As the design rights are owned by the museum not the maker, there is no maker's mark. Particularly in the 30's things were made on a bid system without a manufacturer's name appearing. IP: Logged |
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bsmlhm Posts: 15 |
posted 02-15-2005 01:31 AM
Thank you, Dale. IP: Logged |
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Dale Posts: 2132 |
posted 02-15-2005 01:57 PM
Things marked only with sterling are a rather specialized study. Frequently one can find such items included in a group of similar ones where others are marked. But not always. In my experience such as it is, there can be any number of reasons for the lack of a maker's mark. There is the museum gift shop, which is a very old institution. Then, as agleopar points out, there is the retail store. The store may have offered the items as part of a 'total line' of table top items, with its own paper label. I have seen very odd assortments of things that were clearly from different makers assembled into such a 'look'. Another reason is that like all complicated processes, marking is not infallible. Makers can have things slip through. Or they can be factory seconds. There are many reasons for this, and it is truly aggravating for those collecting now. The old time makers did not take us into account, which was very inconsiderate of them. IP: Logged |
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Dale Posts: 2132 |
posted 02-15-2005 02:02 PM
Yet another reason for the lack of mark. The piece was hand made. By someone who did not have a maker's mark. There tend to be a few things that float into the market that are clearly hand made. Clearly post 1900. And have no mark. The explanation I have heard and agree with is that these were made by students in a metal working class. The student made a silver piece or two to show mastery of technique. Then went on to a rewarding career creating and installing air conditioning ducts. Never made another piece of silver, but could work metal. IP: Logged |
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bsmlhm Posts: 15 |
posted 02-15-2005 11:20 PM
Dale, thank you for giving me so much of your time. I phoned my aunt today hoping she would remember the pieces I was talking about, she did and rather than a wedding present, they were a 25th anniversary gift with the marriage date engraved on the inside rim, so I assume they are not as old, probably 1961. My original though was that my dad had them made but I think your thought IP: Logged |
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bsmlhm Posts: 15 |
posted 02-15-2005 11:30 PM
Sorry, my message just took off! I think your idea about the museum gift shop may be correct but am more inclined to believe it was a store, as agleopar stated. The fact that there are 2 identical pieces, both without a mark seems to indicate that. Thank you both again. IP: Logged |
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