newsletter # 174 November 2018      site: www.ASCASonline.org   email: silverassociation@yahoo.it

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A new article for ASCAS website

David Mckinley presents:

THE PANTIN DYNASTY OF ROUEN AND LONDON

The Pantins were one of the important families of silversmiths who dominated the craft in Rouen in the 17th century. In common with many, if not most, Huguenot families of the time there were several branches of the family each of which produced members who came to London and the following is the result of a comprehensive programme of research into this family which played an important part in the production of silver plate in London in the 18th century.
Many of the French Protestant (Huguenot) goldsmiths who migrated to England in the 17th century came from Rouen in northern France. Rouen was the largest centre for the craft outside Paris and in the year 1679 there were no fewer than 85 goldsmiths practising their craft in that city of whom 60 were Huguenots. The famous Huguenot silversmith, Simon Pantin, came from one of these families and it was from his family that the first recorded Huguenot goldsmith in London came.
In his tome "London Goldsmiths 1697-1837 Their Marks And Lives" the late Arthur Grimwade recorded that a Huguenot goldsmith by the name of Esaie Pontin or Pantin was in London as early as 1658 since the records "The French Church" Threadneedle Street show that he was married there in that year....
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New members

Welcome to new ASCAS members:

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

Christine Erratt writes:
The July ASCAS newsletter included Gerald Benney being written up in "A Silversmith per Month". A most interesting summary of a very talented smith.
To add to his credit, Benney was commissioned to make three ceremonial maces for Australian universities: in 1956 for the University of New England; in 1966 for The University of Newcastle; and in 1969 for The University of Adelaide.
While the first and third maces are constructed fully of sterling silver, the second mace - for The University of Newcastle - has a wooden shaft between its silver head and foot knop. The wood was supplied from Australia and shipped to the UK for this purpose.
In characteristic style, the design and construction of many Australian maces has broken away from traditional British mace designs with wood and gemstones local to the universities often being used, rather than precious metals being used exclusively.
A study of the full complement of the 40 ceremonial maces of Australian universities has been published recently by me under the umbrella of Parker Press (Australia). It reveals the diversity of mace designs and materials used in their construction with full details covering description, dates, donors, designers and makers. It was a fascinating research project and well-worth documenting in this way.

For further information www.parkerpressbooks.com.au

University of Newcastle mace (left) and University of New England mace (right)

Flinders University mace

Dear Christine, thanks for your interesting addition about the work of Gerald Benney.
I publish your information as an "ADDENDUM" in Gerald Benney webpage
Giorgio Busetto

Rubén Sclaroff writes:
... could you help me to identify the hallmarks in this gothic revival style miniature clock?
Thanks in advance

Rubén Sclaroff

In my opinion could be (not sure) the mark of Romania, 1906-1926, 800 silver fineness, see my website at http://www.silvercollection.it/DICTIONARYEUHALLMARKROMANIA.HTML
The mark on the left would be an unidentified maker
Giorgio Busetto

Andrew J. Brasch writes:
... Dear Giorgio, would you help me who is the Austrian silversmith "IA" on this set of small bob bon dishes.
The date in the Vienna hallmark is not clear but it looks 1822.
Thank you for your assistance.
Andrew J. Brasch

Possibly the date is 1838. If so, I find only one Viennese maker corresponding to your mark: Apfel Johann
Giorgio Busetto

Anne Yodice writes:
... This is the backstamp of a very fancy sterling silver 8 bottle cruet set. I think I've narrowed it down to 1812 and William Key, compliments of your very informative web site.
Would you know of any book where I could research him?
Thanks for your kind consideration, and most of all, your time.
Anne Yodice

The date is London 1812, the maker is William Kingdon, (St, John Square, Clerkenwell). The mark was registered 9 July 1811. No further information is available about the maker.
Giorgio Busetto

Erica Hernandez writes:
... I stumbled across your website while trying to do research on these spoons. I have not been able to find anything on the hallmarks. I have been searching on a few different informational sites. Maybe they are worth nothing, but was hoping you can add some incite to this matter for me. My Aunt, who collects silver ware, gave me some quite a few mismatch pieces to sell for her. If they are something special, I would like to have as much information as I can on them before venturing out to place them for sale. Would you be able to help me identify them?
Erica Hernandez

The maker is B. Worth & Sons, Sheffield, see my website at http://www.silvercollection.it/electroplatesilverWZdue.html
Giorgio Busetto

Davide Brusamolino writes:
... I have this icon with Russian silver riza.
I'd wish to have information about the silversmith maker.
Thanks in advance for your help.
. Davide Brusamolino

The maker is Michael Borodulin, St.Petersburg 1836-1849 (according Geoffrey Watts book).
The assayer could be (Postnikova-Loseva book) Tverskoi Dmitrii Ilbich (St.Petersburg 1832-1850).
Giorgio Busetto

Michelle Chessell writes:
... I have a pair of napkin rings with a "mystery mark" that I'm hoping you can help me solve.
The duty mark bears neither resemblance to the 5 duty marks on British sterling from 1784 to 1890 nor any of the commemorative monarch heads on sterling 1934, 1952 and 1977.
The engraving is in the style of the era mid 1800's to the early 1900's.
There is no makers mark or date stamp and the items do test silver 925.
I will attach photos and I do very much appreciate any help you can offer. Cheers
Michelle Chessell
Australia

I believe it's a 19th century pseudo hallmark, possibly of an Australian maker.
Giorgio Busetto

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"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

SILVER ADVERTISEMENTS

FACTORIES, PLANTS, SALESROOMS, SHOPS AND WORKSHOPS: OLD IMAGES

MANUFACTURERA PLAMEX S.A.

The firm was active at Ave. Hipodromo and Paraguay, Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Plamex was specialized in the manufacture of silver and leather items: belt buckles, brooches, cufflinks of typical Mexican design marked 925 sterling and, sometimes, 10K or 18K.

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"A WORD per MONTH"

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

FERRULE (COLLAR) & CAP

Ferrule (or collar) is a small circular metal ring used for fastening mother-of-pearl, ebony, horn or ivorine handles. Sterling silver and silverplate ferrules were widely used in Victorian period when these types of handles were very fashionable.
Ferrules were often decorated with flowers, shells, swags and other elaborate decorations. Sometimes a small cartouche was available for engraving.
In addition to the ferrule, high quality flatware has a cap to complete the decoration of the handle.....
MORE...

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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

ANTON MICHELSEN

Anton Michelsen (1809-1877), born in Odense, Denmark, established one of the most important Danish jewelry families. In 1830, after completing his education in Odense, he moved to Copenhagen where, during the next eleven years, he worked for various young masters.
Michelsen acted as a journeyman for Jřrgen Balthasar Dalhoff from 1834-35 while also taking courses at The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. With assistance from Dalhoff, Michelsen received The Travelling Scholarship of the Reisersen Foundation. He then goes to Berlin and during the late 1830's works in several workshops including Mention & Wagner, a large, contemporary silver and gold works whose primary shop is in Paris. While working for Mention & Wagner, he learned enamelling.
In 1841 Anton Michelsen opened his workshop in Gothersgade in Copenhagen and in 1848 was officially appointed to the Royal Danish Court as "Court Goldsmith and Maker of Orders".
Anton Michelsen died in 1977 and his son Carl Michelsen took over the firm. Carl became court jeweler in 1880 obtaining important commissions from Danish Court.... MORE...

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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

FAMILY CRESTS: LIST OF NAMES

ILLUSTRATED DIRECTORY OF FAMILY CRESTS

HAY

The crest of Hay of Rannes family (Scotland).
The motto is "Spare nought".
The crest is described as "A Goat Passant ".
The crest has been found on an unmarked "Old Sheffield Plate" cup.

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"A YEAR per MONTH"
FROM SHEFFIELD ASSAY OFFICE REGISTER
- 1794 / 1795 -

This table is obtained from The Book of Entries of the Names, Places of abode and Marks of the several Silversmiths and Plate Workers residing in Sheffield, or within twenty miles thereof, who are required to send their goods to the Assay Office, lately established in the Town of Sheffield by an Act of Parliament lately passed in the Thirteenth Year of the Reign of King George the Third intituled:

An Act for appointing Wardens and Assaymasters for
Assaying Wrought Plate in the Towns of Sheffield
and Birmingham

YEAR 1794 / 1795

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Closing our November 2018 edition of ASCAS Newsletter I hope you have appreciated its content.
Your comments, suggestions and advice will be of great help.

My thanks to Andrew J. Brasch, Davide Brusamolino, Michelle Chessell, Christine Erratt, Erica Hernandez, David Mckinley, Rubén Sclaroff and Anne Yodice for their precious contributions.

Giorgio Busetto
Secretary

DISCLAIMER AND PRIVACY POLICY 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. ASCAS has no real property and no fees are requested nor accepted from members. ASCAS keeps in touch with its members only through periodical newsletters, e-mails and web-site updating and ignores and is not responsible for any other activity pursued by its members. Likewise, ASCAS is not responsible for opinions, evaluation and images displayed, and in any form published or supplied for publication, by its members who, in any case, maintain the property of their works and assure the respect of national and international legislation about Intellectual Property. ASCAS does not have the full addresses of its members (only town, country and e-mail address are requested for membership). ASCAS handles and protects with care its members' e-mail addresses, will not disclose the addresses to third parties, will use this information only to reply to requests received from members and for communications strictly related to its activity. These rules are expressly accepted by submitting the membership request. email: silverassociation@yahoo.it       HOME