ASCAS Association of Small Collectors of Antique Silvernewsletter # 130 March 2015
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A new article for ASCAS website

thimble makers in a 1698 book of engravings by Johann Christoph Weigel
Magdalena and William Isbister present:

16th century silver Nürnberg thimbles English version

Johann Christoph Weigel was a German copper engraver, art dealer and publisher. He was born in Bohemia in 1654 and died in Nürnberg some 70 years later. He was usually known as Christoph Weigel the Elder. In 1698 he wrote "Abbildung Der Gemein-Nützlichen Haupt-Stände Von denen Regenten Und ihren So in Friedens- als Kriegs-Zeiten zugeordneten Bedienten an, biß auf alle Künstler Und Handwercker" (reference 1). (Illustrations of common utilitarian occupations of the Regent and his servants in both peace and in wartime including all the artists and hand workers). This book was one of his most important works. It was published in Regensburg and in it he described more than 200 artisans and craft workers whom he had observed personally in their workshops and other workplaces. Each description was accompanied by an engraving of the activity.
Weigel described the thimble makers in Nürnberg who were classified with the other brass workers having been granted independence from the coppersmiths in 1531. In his section on 'Fingerhuters' (thimble makers), Weigel wrote:

"There are also double thimbles with the inner part being completely smooth and gilded, and the outer part which fits snugly over the inner part is made of silver and worked in filigree which looks very attractive. They often decorate the lower edge of the thimble by engraving garlands, foliage, animals and the like, in which type of work the craftsmen of Nürnberg remained the leaders because foreigners seldom engage in it "......

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New members

Welcome to new ASCAS members:


Gennaro Natale - Italy
 

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Members' Window # 107

a commemorative booklet of the All Saints Church, Ladysmith
Alan Yates presents:

The trowel unveiled English version

Some months ago ASCAS published my request of assistance for a little silver trowel:

...I wonder if you could assist me with a query relating to the history of Ladysmith?
I recently bought a charming little trowel in silver and ivory from a very reputable dealer in London (Image attached).
In my opinion it is a commemorative item but smaller than the usual commemorative trowels. The flat silver portion is only 115 mm long.
The inscription reads 'HEB 1882 Ladysmith '.
The Maker's mark is JH in a rectangular box......
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English version

Mail to ASCAS: e-mail silverassociation@yahoo.it

Riccardo Bonardi writes:
...I own a snuff box silver and ivory circa14X5 cm probably Dutch but I cannot identify the silversmith.
The mark isn't well readable, anyway this is my description:
1) "W" or "V V" on the left side;
2) possibly "H" in the center;
3) "33" on the right
Riccardo Bonardi

Yosef Shlingbaum writes:
...May I ask if you can give me information on this Russian Cup and hallmark? (date, region, maker,)
It is 3.5" Tall & 2.7" Opening
Thanks for your help.
Yosef Shlingbaum.

Alan Yates writes:
...I was able to acquire a set of 12 very good quality Spanish silver plates 25.5 cm diameter and two serving plates from the same set size 33 cm diameter. Total weight approx. 7 700 gms. Images attached.
I know a bit about the maker, D Garcia from Madrid, who worked during the mid twentieth century, but I would like to know something about the royal (?) crest in relief on all the plates.
Would any of our members be able to assist?
Alan Yates

Perry Bloss writes:
...Hello, I was hoping you to help me find where a silver pendant, I was given, comes from. I have attached two images. Front and back.
Perry Bloss

The maker is William Adams Ltd, Barr Street, Birmingham, the date letter A stands for 1925, see my website at http://www.silvercollection.it/ENGLISHSILVERMARKSXW2.html
Giorgio Busetto

Replies to questions

Allen Carlson adds this information about his silver pin
(see January 2015 Newsletter)
I received a reply from a long time Jensen expert about the Georg Jensen number 70 that I asked the group about recently. This is his take on the hallmarks:
"As expected its 100% straight. Given that I think I see one of a pair of gas holes in the piece (they were often made in two parts, front and back, and soldered all round....the gas holes prevented the piece from deforming when this was done .... but it's not something they do these days very much as technology has moved on) I'm going to take a stab and say not later than the 1960s....I've seen evidence of the LTD mark in use during the 50s but not clear when it was stopped, but I am hoping the factory can tell me more if their records (which are often chaotic) turn up."
Allen Carlson

Christophe Ginter receives these information about is Swedish mark
(see February 2015 Newsletter)

Willand Ringborg writes:

Mr Christophe Ginter puts forward a question on Swedish silver. I happen to know some of this particular matter, due to access of the relevant literature.
This is my answer:
From left to right, initials for silversmith Johan Petter Gronvall, master 1807-1843, next town mark for Stockholm (Saint Erik), assayers stamp ("cat foot" but heraldic three crowns) and finally year index (B4). He had quite a big production from his workshop.
Willand Ringborg

Rod Hall writes:

The marks indicate Sweden (the so-called "cats foo" mark, showing the national emblem of Three Crowns), Stockholm (the mark representing the head of St. Erik) and the year is indeed 1832 (B4). The maker is Johan Petter Grönvall (IPG), a Master Silversmith in Stockholm, who achieved this status in 1810. Rod Hall


"A PAGE per MONTH"

In this column we presents a page obtained from makers' brochures, books, auction catalogs, advertising or whatever other printed paper, related to silver, that may be of interest for ASCAS members.
The images will be published at a "low resolution" level and for private and personal use only.
This column is published under the kind permission of Giorgio Busetto's website
www.silvercollection.it home page

 
James Deakin & Sons Ltd, Sydney Works, Sydney St. & Matilda St. - Sheffield
This month ASCAS presents an ancient image of the factory of:

JAMES DEAKIN & SONS LTD

The firm was founded in Sheffield by James Deakin in 1866.
The first mark was entered by the firm in Sheffield Assay Office on 31 January 1878. It was a "JD" over "WD" and, possibly, represented the partnership of James Deakin and his son William Pitchford Deakin. The firm was active at Sidney Works, Matilda Street, Sheffield.
In 1886 two further sons entered in the partnership, John Deakin and Albert Deakin, and the firm was then known as James Deakin & Sons.
Further marks were entered in London Assay Office (1888) by William and John Deakin (subsidiary offices and showrooms at 48 Holborn Viaduct, London), Chester and Birmingham. Further offices and showrooms were opened at Gardiner House, 14 Charterhouse Street, London, 34 St. Enoch Square, Glasgow and 7 Queen Street, Belfast.
After the retirement of James Deakin (1893) the business was continued by his sons William, John and Albert.
In 1897 the firm was converted into a limited liability company under the style James Deakin & Sons Ltd.

This image is part of the FACTORIES, PLANTS, SALESROOMS, SHOPS AND WORKSHOPS: OLD IMAGES section of www.silvercollection.it website

"A WORD per MONTH"

In this column we present an abstract from a page of the "What is? Silver Dictionary"
courtesy of
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silver flagon

FLAGON

The flagon is a tall pouring vessel, so called from c. 1640, having a single handle, hinged lid with finial and thumbpiece.

In origin the flagons were an enlargement of the belly cans illustrated in North European 15th century pictures.

Later they assumed the straight-side form of an enlarged tankard.
The lid is domed or cushion shaped and the body is cylindrical, barrel or drum shaped.

They may be plain, gilt, engraved, or chased in low relief....


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"A SILVERSMITH per MONTH"

In this column we present marks, information and history of silversmiths and silver manufacturers.
This column is published under the kind permission of Giorgio Busetto's website
www.silvercollection.it home page

AUGUSTIN COURTAULD AND HIS FAMILY

PETER COURTAULD - SAMUEL COURTAULD - LOUISA COURTAULD
LOUISA COURTAULD & GEORGE COWES
LOUISA COURTAULD & SAMUEL COURTAULD

Augustin Courtauld (senior) was born in 1655 and baptized in the Protestant church at Marennes (France).
In 1677 Augustin (sr.) married Julie Giraud who bore him four children, only one of them (Augustin jr) survived infancy. After the death of his wife, Augustin sr., in order to escape the religious persecution against the Huguenots, sailed from France in c.1686 to start a new life in England.
In c. 1688 he married Esther Poitier (another French refugee) having a son in 1689 (Peter Courtauld).
In 1696 Augustin sr. took out papers of denization as an English citizen and in 1697 his young son Augustin joined the father and his new family in England.
Augustin jr. (or Augustine) was apprenticed in 1701 to Simon Pantin, a prominent Huguenot goldsmith active in St. Martin's Lane at the sign of the 'Peacock', obtaining his freedom in 1708.
In 1709 Augustin jr. married Anne Bardin, having eight children, of whom five survived their parents. Among them, Anne married a goldsmith John Jacob in 1738 and Samuel (1720-1765), the elder of them, destined as his father for a career as a silversmith......
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"A CREST per MONTH"

In this column we present images and descriptions of Crests and Mottoes of British, Irish and Scottish families as engraved on silver items.
This column is published under the kind permission of Giorgio Busetto's website
www.silvercollection.it home page

FAMILY CRESTS: LIST OF NAMES

DURHAM

family crest: DURHAM  
A Scottish family.
The crest is described as "an increscent".
The Latin motto is 'Augeor dum progredior' (I increase as I proceed).
The crest was found on silver ladle hallmarked Edinburgh 1817, maker Andrew Wilkie
silver ladle bearing Durham crest Hallmark Edinburgh 1817, maker Andrew Wilkie on a silver ladle with Durham crest

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Closing our MARCH 2015 edition of ASCAS Newsletter I hope you have appreciated its content.
Your comments, suggestions and advice will be of great help.

My thanks to Perry Bloss, Riccardo Bonardi, Allen Carlson, Rod Hall, Magdalena and William Isbister, Willand Ringborg, Yosef Shlingbaum and Alan Yates for their precious contributions.

Giorgio Busetto
Secretary
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ASCAS is a community of people having a common interest in antique silver.
It is a non-profit association without commercial links. Membership is open to whomever has a true interest in this subject matter.
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