Posted 12 years ago
pelicancocoa
(1 item)
I have never seen the hallmark on the back of this ladle. It was purchased at an estate sale in NYC years ago and is a gift from a friend. I have researched the engraving and need help identifying this piece. The last photo is of the back of the ladle. Thank you so much for any help you might be able to give me. :-)
Hi, could you please type out the hallmark for us? It looks to me like it is 'OSTRERG & L.' Is that correct? I do note that it is nickel silver, and that the pattern is quite unusual. Do you need to know the name of the silver smith/house and the name of the pattern? Thank you so much.
Your reading of the lettering is exactly what I interpret. I wondered if the N. S. meant nickle silver. There is one of these for sale on eBay but the lettering on the back is different. It reads GENSE. Yes, I would like to know the manufacturer and the name of the pattern. Thank you for your help. In between the G and L the symbol looks like a bird mark to me.
my guess would actually be "ÖSTBERG & L "- as Östberg is a more common name in Europe...
Hi, I haven't forgotten you, but I am behind on another project. I've looked a bit without success. I'll be back as soon as I can. Thanks much for taking another look at the hallmark and for suggestions about altername silversmith names. Regards, miKKo
Hi, pelicancocoa. Thanks much for your patience! I can't find this silversmith on the internet. Today I had hoped to consult Dorothy Rainwater’s wonderful book on American silver hallmarks, "Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers", 5th Edition, by Dorothy Rainwater and Martin and Colette Fuller. Rainwater lists over 2,400 American silver hallmarks. I had a meeting in a sizable city today, and afterwards sought out Rainwater. However, the library told me when I arrived that they had sent the Rainwater book off to another library because it had been little used, and so I was unable to consult it. Anyway, I recommend that you consult Rainwater. She is an eminent authority, and you should be able to find this book in a large city library. Just because the name on the hallmark looks Swedish - or Scandinavian - doesn't mean that the ladle wasn't produced by an American or in America. Since I didn't find the hallmark anywhere on the internet, it would be prudent to rule out that the silversmith was an obscure American silversmith. Secondly, you can log in at 925-1000silver.com and post your hallmark in their forum. Silver enthusiasts use this ‘silver marks forum’ like we use Collectors Weekly Show & Tell “UNSOLVED MYSTERY”. If your ladle is Swedish or Scandinavian, there is a good chance that someone on 925-1000 will be able to identify it.
http://www.925-1000.com/forum/index.php
Here’s another informative link:
http://www.silvercollecting.com/silvermarksFAQ.html
A word about this unusual pattern. I have never seen it before. I compared your ladle to the other ladle that you saw on eBay, by "GENSE". The patterns are very similar, but there are significant differences. Look at the leaf pattern on your spoon. The ground of your leaves looks almost as if it had been woven, or embroidered. By contrast, the ground of the eBay ladle is filled with raised dots. The shapes of the leaves comprising the motif also look different to me. Finally, on your ladle there is a long, central foliate flourish descending from the 'peak' formed by the (for want of a better word) 'Old English frame'. On the eBay ladle, there is a very similar device descending from the 'peak' of the 'Old English frame', but it is significantly different than yours. The ladle on the eBay item is described as “unknown Scroll & Thread Pattern”, and then the silver pattern is described as "unknown Leaf". Note also that the bowl and stem shapes are different. Ebay item is dated "1900-1940". I have no intelligent opinion whatsoever on the date.
Thanks again for your kind patience. I regret not being able to help more. Regards, miKKo
I have the same ladle with a round bowl. I, too, have had it for quite a few years. Have you found out anything about the mark yet? I have been able to locate anything on this. I would appreciate any new info you may have. Thanks
Hi, Jewelfaux. No, I have not found any other data on this mark or the ladle itself. I am still researching. Thanks for posting.