posted 08-09-2007 03:33 PM            

Hello all,

I recently purchased a box lot of coin silver salt spoons and open salts at auction.

I found a nice pair of coin master salts for my collection in the lot, but I also found a pair of open salts in the lot seemed to be very early Continental.

The salts are of very heavy construction, and clearly hammer formed. No evidence of machine work at all. They are hoof-footed, and marked with what my first guess were either early French or early Dutch marks.

I have reviewed what meager resources are available to me for Continental silver, and to no avail... So I though I'd ask the experts for a little help.

Some things I wanted to know... Are they 18th century? French? What can these marks tell me...? and what resources are available to help me interpret similar marks in the future? (always eager to learn).

Thanks in advance, for any information you can provide. (and I hope this provides something interesting for forum members to review)

Best regards... Dan

posted 08-10-2007 12:47 AM            

The maker's mark is also worn, but is still identifiable as "A99G" in a lozenge, with the crossbar of the "A" missing. It's the mark of Angelo Giannotti (1798-1865), Master 1824, a prolific second generation silversmith (son of Antonio, Master 1795). "99" was the younger Giannotti's registration number; the practice of issuing registration numbers to Italian goldsmiths began in Rome in 1815 and continues to this day.

To sum up: .950 silver, Rome, by Angelo Giannotti, active 1824-1865.

posted 08-10-2007 07:30 AM            

The truly noteworthy feature of these salts is their weight.. they are VERY heavy. And they seem a little on the primitive side (which I have noticed in other Italian silver as well). I guess that's why I had assumed 18th century. (although early to mid 19th isn't that far off)