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European? hallmarks - real or fake

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Author	Topic: European? hallmarks - real or fake
gingerjake unregistered	posted 04-17-2002 11:26 AM Heavy electroplate silver 12 inch Edwardian? fluted fruit basket on 4 5/8 inch circular base. Alternating large (2 1/4 x 2 1/2) and small (1 1/4 x 1) grape and leaf clusters (8 each) on peaks and valleys of rim. On the bottom are two rows of three hallmarks. Top row (L-R), fleur-de-lis, Sheffield-type crown, left facing rampant lion. Second row, immediately below top row and about half or third size (L-R), rampant lion facing right, star, rampant lion facing right. The top row appears to be scribed and the bottom row appears to be stamped. Handle is attached to pivot with machined screws. Are hallmarks legitimate or fake? Piece is at least 75 years old. Thanks for any guidance you can give. Jake IP: Logged
Ulysses Dietz Moderator Posts: 1265 Registered: May 99	posted 04-17-2002 11:43 AM It is hard to be sure without seeing the marks; but English plating firms often used pseudo hallmarks on their plated wares--and this was accepted practice. The marks are clearly not sterling marks--but the crown does suggest Sheffield, where much plated silver was made. So these are probably perfectly legit marks. Any other opinions out there? IP: Logged
Brent Posts: 1507 Registered: May 99	posted 04-17-2002 02:40 PM Your top row of hallmarks matches a set used by E.G. Webster & Son of New York City, in business frome 1858 to 1928. Webster specialized in high quality English reproductions, and their marks do look very much like those used by English electroplaters. I would bet it is by them. I would agree with Ulysses, your marks are likely perfectly legitimate silverplater's trademarks. Brent IP: Logged
gingerjake unregistered	posted 04-17-2002 07:04 PM Thanks guys for the rapid reply. Juat a couple of more questions. What is the significance of the second row of smaller stamped marks below the larger ones which appear to be either etched or inscribed? Does the grape, leaf, and vine pattern around the edge make this "art nouveau"? Does the fact that E. G. Webster is no longer in business make this a more valuable piece than if they were still in business? Oh, I forgot to report the the numbers "156" appear below the hallmarks. Does this help? Thanks again. Jake IP: Logged
Brent Posts: 1507 Registered: May 99	posted 04-18-2002 02:37 PM Hi, The two sets of marks are a bit unusual, so it is hard to say why they are there. Manufacturers sometimes bought pieces from another manufacturer, and added their own stamp. This may be what happened here, but it is only a guess. The fact that the company is out of business really doesn't affect the value one way or the other. Gorham and International Silver have been making silverplate for over 100 years, and their early products can be quite valuable. The age of the piece, the style, and, above all, condition will determine the value. Grapevine motifs have been popular since at least 1850, and they remain popular today. The presence of grapevines does not make something Art Nouveau, although some designs from the 1890-1910 period probably could be considered that way. Real Art Nouveau design was never very popular in the US or England, so only a small percentage of American or English silver is really Art Nouveau. Your piece sounds rather neo-classical to me, a traditional form embellished with a nice conservative grape design. Numbers on silver are rarely useful from a collector's point of view. The number could refer to the shape, the size or the decoration, and was only really meaningful to the manufacturer. The only exception is if you happen to have a manufacturer's catalog, which might list its wares by the number. I hope this helps. Brent IP: Logged

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