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In this Forum we discuss the silver of the United Kingdom, as well as British Colonial silver and Old Sheffield Plate. Past British - Irish Sterling topics/threads worth a look. |
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In this Forum we discuss the silver of the United Kingdom, as well as British Colonial silver and Old Sheffield Plate. Past British - Irish Sterling topics/threads worth a look. |
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 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 British / Irish Sterling
 "Sterling" on Irish Silver
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| Author | Topic: "Sterling" on Irish Silver |
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TBC Posts: 134 |
posted 06-10-2005 04:44 PM
  
Hello all. Can someone tell me about the provinance of a piece of silver that is marked "STERLING", or in this case "IERLING"? (the first letter is likely to be a "T"). Sometimes I buy on ebay...most often I just look to learn and when something looks wrong, I question the seller...for fun! This is one such case: I have no intention of bidding on ebay for this item and say this to confirm my abidance by the rules. To the moderator, my question does not directly relate to this item, but to the principle - what does "IERLING" on a piece of supposedly Irish silver mean? I have entered into a correspondance with the seller of an item, described as being an "Irish Provincial Tea Caddy Cork Carden". No marks are visible on the piece (claimed to be c. 1790) but the mark of "IERLING" is visible. I have been told that (quote) "I have handled thousands of Irish provincial pieces and anyone with even the most cursory knowledge of Irish silver will know that sterling mark accompanied with the touchmark of a recognisable Cork or Limerick maker is sufficent to place a piece. Indeed sometimes only the makers (SIC) touchmark is there and sufficient to date a provenance a piece! I suggest you seek out Carden Terry's mark and marks for sterling. You will have noticed the I put Circa 1790 as that would give people and idea of the date of the spoon by when the silversmith was active and by its style." I omit the insults made to me at asking thmy question! I believe I am within the rules of this forum since I have NO intention to bid on the item. There's a part of me as likes to ensure that people who do buy on ebay aren't misled....if I'm wrong in my ignorance of "sterling" being on early Irish silver, I will immediately recant to the vendor...if not, I will ask that s/he amends his/ her description? I'm curious to know...hope you don't think I'm mad to raise this question! Best rgds, TBC [This message has been edited by TBC (edited 07-15-2005).] IP: Logged |
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Dale Posts: 2132 |
posted 06-17-2005 02:02 PM
I would suggest that people who have no intention of bidding should not ask questions of sellers. This is a selling venue, not an educational undertaking. Sellers are there to sell, not answer endless profitless emails. Please quit doing this. The story generally is that in Ireland much silver was made with only the sterling mark, destined for export. This may or may not be true. Wiser people than I probably can explain this. IP: Logged |
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Scotia Posts: 125 |
posted 06-17-2005 05:55 PM
Hi there, I have had a look at the piece in question and the mark is definitely "STERLING" but the S is completely rubbed and part of the "T". There is another mark in front of the guys thumb, which looks like a "T", the first letter being rubbed completely. This corresponds to the mark of Terry Carden and I do not doubt the authenticity of this piece. It is typical of its period and even has a repair. Many provincial Irish pieces were marked with "Sterling" along with a makers mark. IP: Logged |
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Silver Lyon Posts: 363 |
posted 06-19-2005 04:47 PM
I think that the main reason for using the sterling mark was that it was easily recognisable and locally acceptable. It was a long and dangerous way for a parcel of silver to Dublin and back in order to have the 'correct' legally required hallmarks, so the provincial Irish silversmiths came up with another option. In fairness to the Cork silversmiths they more than once petitioned to have their own official assay office, but were always turned down. Cork didn't really export silverware, more made it to feed a local market, prospering or not according to the economy of the city. It did however export one of its finest silversmiths to the USA - Philip Syng!  IP: Logged |
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TBC Posts: 134 |
posted 06-27-2005 04:30 PM
Thanks Scotia and Silver Lyon. You posts were helpful. I did further research and in the last few days recently acquired a book (published 2005) on Cork silver. The vendor was completely correct and my inability to recognise Cork silver due to my inexperience. IP: Logged |
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