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Author	Topic: Chinese silver
lostyourmarblestoo Posts: 4 Registered: Apr 2006	posted 04-18-2006 06:44 PM Hi all, I just acquired (today) two pieces of turquoise jewelry (bracelet/necklace) that are marked "China No 2 Silver". I collect American Indian turquoise jewelry, but these are old (I think) and the first made outside of US for me. What does "No 2 Silver" mean? I've searched through Google and even a jewelers book but no mention of No. 2. Richard Miller IP: Logged
agleopar Posts: 850 Registered: Jun 2004	posted 04-19-2006 08:23 AM Richard, welcome to the forums, and just guessing I would say that these are not old (20th c.) and were made for export from non communist china, Hong kong? An image always helps to show style and form that may be recognizable. Hope someone who knows can help. IP: Logged
FWG Posts: 845 Registered: Aug 2005	posted 04-21-2006 09:26 AM Another possibility is that they are traditional pieces from south/southwest China, down towards the Himalayas. In that area (as in Tibet and Nepal, across the mountains) one gets turquoise and red coral set in silver, from recent years to at least a half-century or so ago. The designs are usually pretty distinctive, but I've seen a few pieces that could pass for southwestern US. Pictures really are necessary. And in this context, I hope everyone will join me in prayers, good thoughts, whatever one offers, for the people of Nepal. Whatever side of the struggle one may fall on, the violence is dreadful. Personally I have friends and former students there, and I'm keeping them in my thoughts. IP: Logged
Kimo Posts: 1627 Registered: Mar 2003	posted 04-21-2006 10:50 AM It is so hard to say anything without some good clear photos - of the overall items and closeups of the markings. Please add some photos and hopefully we can come up with some helpful thoughts. In the meantime let me mention that the last time I was in Bangkok (last year) there were several stores in the flea markets that were selling "American indian silver jewelry" and other American indian items such as beadwork, featherwork, etc. The jewelry was in all of the the typical forms made with sterling silver set with the usual stones such as turquoise, coral, jet, mother of pearl, etc. While it was all made in Thailand, it was very convincing as American Indian made and if it were put on a blanket in the town square in Santa Fe with a native American sitting by it selling it I do not think anyone would question it. By the way, China has large deposits of turquoise. IP: Logged
lostyourmarblestoo Posts: 4 Registered: Apr 2006	posted 04-21-2006 02:19 PM Hi all, Thanks for the replies. I'm still a little new at this so it took me a while for a photo. My camera is not capable (or I haven't learned yet) of taking a closeup of the stamp. I took another look at the stamp and found that the stamp on the necklace says (in block letters) CHINA NO 23 SILVER So I looked again at the stamp for the bracelet and can see where the number "3" is really faint. Now I am really confused. Has anyone seen something like this? The silver (?) pieces also have a flower/bird motif engraved on the back. The turquoise beads are all strung together on string. The beads for the bracelet are actually woven as fabric with the string winding through. Richard Miller IP: Logged
Dale Posts: 2132 Registered: Nov 2002	posted 04-23-2006 03:53 PM Sometimes Chinese silver emerges from estates of WW2 vets. They bought it in the Orient and brought it home with them. The marks are bewildering and not clearly understood. The number 2 may be to distinguish it from number 1 silver, which sounds like something out of a Charlie Chan movie. Re the Thai Navajo silver. It is not too farfetched to imagine enterprising Navajo's sending designs and specifications to Thailand for production. For many years, some Navajo rug merchants had their wares made in Central America. IP: Logged

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