Posted 11 years ago
Niels
(1 item)
I've inherited this set - kettle, sugar bowl and milk jar - copper and brass with silver lining.
Vividly recall the set from my youth, then a source of extra pocket money when it was time to buff the brass and copper-ware in the house, but alas don't recall its history.
The mark (stamp) in the bottom (eagle with snake) suggests Mexican origin - no other markings can be found. My father was a ships Captain and may have purchased it on one of his many overseas voyages.
Is there anyone out there who can shed some light?
Grateful to hear.
Niels Peter Olsen - Copenhagen, Denmark
Phil (and others)
Thank you for the kind comment(s) - I agree it is lovely and it now takes a prominent place in my home.
>> Phil - condition of the set suggests that mine wasn't the first generation to "buffW, hence would be interested to hear which century...?
Understand the Eagle with snake was used only in Mexico (Europeans would typically use initials as stamp for makers) but I readily admit I have no insight.
Background suggested by Danish friend suggests that it was made as a special "present"" to a successful Danish Admiral in memory of his victories (hence the shape of a ships bell), but it has not been possible to investigate or confirm (goes to show that we should pay more attention to our parents when they tell stories ;o)
Thanks again
Niels
There is this reference to this mark as Kayserzinn:
J P Kayser & Son of Krefeld-Bochum, near Düsseldorf, Germany were originally 'Leuconide Metalware Factory, founded around 1885. They were tin manufacturers and developed a lead-free pewter with the trade name 'Kayserzinn' from 1894 to 1912. Under Jean and Engelbert Kayser, this was used in the making of Jugendstil items designed in Cologne by Hugo Leven and others. They also produced well-made copper and brass items and used the mark shown here, found under a 1.5 litre brass spirit kettle c1895. Other marks were used for the pewter items, numbered from 4,000 to 4999 during the period 1894-1925.
http://www.oldcopper.org/german_copper.htm
J. P. Kayser's main designer was Hugo Leven.
http://www.trocadero.com/stores/hainesgalleries/items/1129136/item1129136.html