posted 10-23-2005 07:32 PM            

Here’s a hallmark that has had me stumped ever since I acquired it a few years ago -- on an Italian candlestick that was made in one of my favorite cities, Naples, sometime in the first half of the 18th century.

Although the other marks, on its base, are more worn, I identified them readily enough in the Catellos’ “I Marchi dell’Argenteria Napoletana” (Napoli, 1996). The central one is the crowned “NAP” hallmark for Naples in the 17th and 18th centuries. Unfortunately, the date numerals beneath cannot be read (or perhaps were never present). It is flanked by a consular mark, struck twice, and also partly obscured, but possibly for Andrea de Blasio (consul in 1714, 1720 and 1723) or Geronimo de Benedetto (1720, 1729, and 1733). There is no apparent maker’s mark; according to the Catellos, this means that the candlestick was likely made by the consul himself, who would also have been a working silversmith. There is a zigzag assayer’s mark under the base. (Please forgive the wax in the photo ... this is a candlestick I frequently use at dinner parties!)

The official-looking crowned fleur-de-lis hallmark struck clearly on the stem -- opposite the engraved coat of arms -- looked to me at first like it should be a cinch to identify, but has stubbornly resisted all my attempts. I wonder if perhaps it might be a pre-1789 French import mark or assay mark of some kind. (But contrary to popular belief, the lily was not an exclusively French symbol...it was also used heraldically by the Medici of Florence, among others.)

Another peculiarity of this 8-inch-high candlestick is the rather wide drip-pan that is a separate piece of silver held on by a projecting lip at the top of the nozzle. In other word, it is not removable, although it rotates freely. By every indication, it is original to the candlestick, and bears a similar assay zigzag (but no struck marks, alas).

I’d be grateful for any insights, especially on the crowned fleur-de-lis.