posted 12-29-2009 05:03 PM            

Hello everyone and happy holidays. I thought I would start a post for anyone who received gifts of silver for Christmas. I received 2 pieces, both from dear friends who are not silver enthusiasts.

The first is a silverplate roast fork by Harrison Fisher, Sheffield. I am thinking by style it is late 19th century. Also, it is interesting to note that Harrison Fisher is still in business in some form in Sheffield making knives mostly I think.

The second piece is I believe a piece of continental silver, perhaps a toothpick holder or salt? with a lovely floral/leaf design. It measures 3.25"x1.5". The piece is marked. It has the crown mark of German silver post 1886 but not the crescent moon mark. It also has a maker's mark of HH in a sort of diamond rectangle shape and 90 for I assume 900 silver content. Does anyone recognize this mark or maker? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, Kelly

posted 12-29-2009 07:08 PM            

If your first piece is about 6" long, it would be a loop-handle bread fork. The toothpick holder is Dutch silverplate by Hooijkaas.

posted 12-29-2009 07:24 PM            

Kelly

posted 12-29-2009 11:19 PM            

"Bread forks were used to serve individual rolls or slices of bread from a bread basket. Like today, bread formed an important part of most people's diets at the time this object was made. This fork would have most likely been used at formal luncheons, teas and dinners. These were occasions where strict rules of etiquette were observed. It was considered impolite to eat most types of food with the fingers. Bread was one of a few exceptions to this rule. However, it was still necessary to use a special fork to serve bread."

posted 12-30-2009 11:12 AM            

Nice to see dutch plate in the USA!
The factory also produced with(835/1000) and (925/1000) silver alloy.

The silver factory was founded in 1875 in Schoonhoven like dragonfly told and using the double letters HH (Herman Hooijkaas)as silver mark). This silver mark will not be stamped at silver objects made now a days.
Once I've telephoned the firm and got the information that the name zilverfabriek (silver factory) Schoonhoven has changed into the name : Royal Zilverstad(silvertown), since 1 January 2007.

Perhaps for some of you interesting is that they also changed the zilvermark HH. Of course at older pieces you can find the HH (mark)but the new mark is made from two letters the S and Z. S(choonhovense)
Z(ilverfabriek). They never has to change a winning team, but considering the modern time they have to put the firm into a new jacket.(dutch saying sentence,or international?).

The new silvermark in production is SZ.

Nice items to have I also have the toothpick holder but the nice decoration is hardly to enjoy at the bottom (down under).

I will look for your other placed photo's and when I recognize something react twice.

Have all nice holidays a and good year change evening and that 2010 will bring a lot of happiness and peace!

Greetings Silverhunter!