posted 01-14-2015 04:21 AM            

I’m Mark, I live in France, been here for 11 years, originally from New Zealand but spent a great deal of my time in the UK and working in the Middle East and Asia.

One of my hobbies is buying artworks, porcelain and silver from Brocantes and flea markets here in France and on those online auctions, not because I want to sell them on but simply because I like them, no matter how quirky some of them might be.

I look out for mostly items made in Britain – it amazes me how much and the vast variety of items Britain did make and export to all corners of the world in the past and that many of these items are still fit for purpose and can be used today despite their age. I don’t think the world will ever see this again with the current - throw away and buy cheap, made in China - culture.

I buy old furniture when I need it – why spend 300 euros on a chipboard cupboard from Ikea when you can buy a fantastic solid oak cupboard over 100 years old that does the same job and that it will still be worth something in the future if you want to sell it again?

I also buy to invest and provide by son (when I am gone although he’s already after a few bits!) with items that I personally liked and that are worth ‘something’ in case he needs some cash in the future. Money and investments are great, but I personally feel (at this time for me and him) that it’s better to also have something you can feel, touch and to be able to see besides the family properties.

Anyhow that’s me.

So why am I on here? Really it’s for advice – it won’t be every week as I am pretty good at researching items, origin, dates, makers, etc. – ah that wonderful internet – but an item I picked up last week has totally stumped me and which hopefully someone out there may be able to shed some light on it.

It’s a napkin chain, it appears to be silver or another metal (it’s certainly not magnetic) and it bears what appear to be a full set of hallmarks possibly European / near East none of which I have come across before.

So if anyone out there provide any information on these marks I would be most grateful

Hopefully this picture link works

posted 01-14-2015 11:04 AM            

It would nice to see an image of the entire piece.

I believe the marks are

1. town mark
   
2. silver content
   
3. Country standard mark
   
4. maker

1. I don't know the town mark
   From 01-15-2015 06:26 AM post below:
   the lion isn't a town mark, just an additional mark that sometimes appears on their wares.
   
2. 800/1000 silver content
   
3. Germany standard mark
   
4. I don't know the maker

posted 01-15-2015 06:22 AM            

You’ve provided the bit of info I needed the country.

I had never seen German marks stamped like these before and on my brief research I can now see who the maker was Lutz & Weiss.

I have attached a full image of the item as per Scott’s request for info