Articles for ASCAS website

Fred Sinfield presents 'The Grand Master's Box', an article on a gilded silver box presented to Fra' Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim upon his election in 1797 as the 71st Grand Master of the Knights of St John. Click here (This article was previously published in No. 1/2002 of the 'Journal' of The Silver Society of Canada.)

Giorgio Busetto and Maurizio Perota present 'Little-Known Tablewares: Argyles', an article on unusual devices suitable for maintaining the warmth of gravies and sauces on the journey from kitchen to table. Click here.

List of members

Welcome to these new ASCAS members:

ASCAS has now 185 members.
The updated list of ASCAS members is now available (only for members)

Members' Window # 9

Dave Frothingham presents 'Three George I casters'. A set of three casters made by Thomas Bamford in 1720. Click here

Questions from ASCAS members

Fred Sinfield writes:
This silver spice casket is covered with innumerable 1mm circles with 'palms' and small green stones set onto a solid base in a type of filigree. It is 50x60x35mm and weighs 83grams. The punch mark is probably in Hewbrew, its origin is probably the Middle East and probably dates from 20th century. Might readers know this mark, the style of work, its origin or can date it? Suggestions will be appreciated.

Do any members recognize the marks of this casket?

Our 'SILVER RESOURCES' page contains the addresses of interesting websites about silver (many managed by ASCAS members). Another website with useful links for hallmarks is http://home.wxs.nl/~luijt005/hallm.htm .
Anyway, what do you think about Corinne's proposal?
Giorgio Busetto

ASCAS member Andrea Perego writes:
Is there anyone who can help me to identify the object in the picture attached? It's a silver ring, diameter is about 12 cm. (4 3/4 in) and there are hallmarks I can't identify.
 

I believe that this ring is too wide to be a 'napkin ring' and too small to be a 'dish ring'. Do any members recognize what was the use of this item and its marks?

December Newsletter requested members' solutions to some unresolved questions.

coffee pot? or Hot water jug?	Hanau silver hallmark	what is?	what is?

To see how ASCAS members resolve our 'dilemmas' click here

Jayne Dye supplies a useful source of information for members interested to Austrian silver.
It's a CD-Rom on 'Viennese gold- and silversmiths from 1781 and 1921 and their marks' edited by Wiener Werkstätte Archiv.
The price is US$ 32.50. Members interested may contact
Dr.Elisabeth Schmuttermeier
Kustos Metallabteilung /Wiener Werkstätte Archiv - MAK
Stubenring 5
A-1010 Wien
Tel: (+43-1) 711 36-234
Fax: (+ 43-1) 711 36-388
schmuttermeier@MAK.at
http://www.mak.at/
 

Closing our January newsletter I hope you have appreciated its content.
Your comments, suggestions and advice will be greatly appreciated.
My thanks to Mario Rosario Bonello, Dorothea Burstyn, Jayne Dye, Peter Dean, Hymie Dinerstein, Dave Frothingham, Gerry Gerhart, Tom Guarrera, Bill Kime, Corinne Mes, Maurizio Perota and Fred Sinfield, for their precious contributions.

Giorgio Busetto
Secretary