posted 05-04-2008 06:08 AM            

I want to show you a brush and mirror set, it's the first one at this side, it's made I think in the period of 1920/1930.

It was sold in a jeweler shop in that period in Amsterdam.(kalverstraat). The "Kalverstraat"(street) was a famous shopping street in that days. That's the story behind it. Totally it is a set which stands out four pieces and the camholder isn't photographed.

Each piece has the same pattern about fine lines crossing each other in squares at the backsides. The decorations are made around the steels and perhaps somebody can tell in which style this decoration is mentioned.

The set is silvered, has a mark which the photo shows. I recognize D.D. 90 and a kind of fish stamped in each piece. The rand of the mirror is polished.

Because it is continental it isn't easy for silver collectors out of foreign countries, but I hope somebody still can tell me something more about this set.

Thanks a lot Silverhunter.

posted 05-04-2008 05:00 PM            

You are right about the silver alloy mark with the number 90. There are a lot of silvered articles with that stamp figure/number over here in Holland and also souvenir spoons, thats for sure.

Lower alloy marks you can hardly find in Holland.(that's my opinion).
Other countries are using in production (silverplate) for instance 30,60,84,150 and (I've learned) the totaly gramms of silver which is used for production(silverplate) for instance 6,12 or more spoons etc. But each member knew that already ofcourse!

Back to the set you are right, it can be around 1930 thats possible because the person who gave these one's ( 60+ years ) had told that it was bought in that period by his father as gift by engagement.

I think they didn't made a lot of this patterns like this in the period the set was bought, it was a economic crisis period and it was a luxury article for that time.

The brushes itself are very raw I don't know if that type of brush material was normal used for production like these?
I hope it's to recognize at the second photo.

Perhaps it's better to look for the silver/ed smith D.D. in the head library
in Rotterdam this week.
When I know more about the maker and fish symbol I let you know.

Greetings Silverhunter!

posted 05-05-2008 11:05 AM            

Mirror and brush sets were a very popular gift from the 1920s through the 1950s. Better quality sets often included many other vanity items as well such as silver topped jars, combs, trays, etc. Also, the better quality ones were made of solid sterling silver, with the appropriate markings. The best quality ones were not only solid silver, but also had beautiful transparent enamelling with fancy designs under the enamelling. It seems to me as if many of these sets were never used since you see a number of them for sale on the big internet auction site every week. They tend not to bring very much money since they are so common and since most people would not want to use such items that may have been used by someone else in their personal grooming.

If the brush has a long handle it would have been a hair brush. If it has no handle it would have been a clothes brush. The bristles can be several different materials, depending on the quality of the set and what era it comes from. Pig bristle and synthetic bristle seem to be the more commonly seen materials but it could be almost any kind of bristle.

The sets that seem to be more collectable than others are the solid sterling ones with dramatic art deco designs under transparent enameling (pink, yellow, light blue, light green). On those, condition of the enamelling is of great importance - there should be no damage to the enamelling.

posted 05-05-2008 01:32 PM            

Thank you a lot for your reaction and good information. The set was a gift to me, so the one who gave it knew it wasn't sterling (I think). The number 90 was the alloy of silver in grams used to silverplate this set. So that was what I knew about it.

You're right about the quantity of sets to buy, there are a lot of them. If I see the quality of this set it's very solid prepaired, I heard the set was hardly used and therefore it is in good condition.

I gave a place in the glass show-case.

Of course after a while I have to clean it but than I can see it shining with the other objects.

Meanwhile there are a lot of silver objects with background information given by members of the SMP Silver Forum and I've learned a lot. Your reaction are always very detailed and everything is explained in your story, so I'm glad with it.

posted 12-31-2008 01:05 PM            

I've starting collecting silver with a lucky fishing day and on that day(summer last year)I found total 70 pieces of Norwegian silver, made by Olsens, Jostrup, Hammer, Aasen, Olsen and some more. I've cleaned it for a week(dark filter) but now I keep it in a cassette. I just wanted to start a topic about the difference there is by the knowing of the famous Jensen from Denmark and at the other site there isn't so much knowledge for instance in Holland for the Scandinavian silver items which is really beautiful made. The patterns I have are: Rose, Facon (Olsen) and some from Brødrene Lohne. The most silversmiths are from Bergen.

But it is good to know about your information, so thanks again and I hope to see more topics from your side!

Many regards and Happy New Year to you and your family in Denmark.