Posted 8 years ago
pebble
(31 items)
Thanks for the help on this :)
The hallmarks are Egyptian, with the left hand mark indicating 800 silver purity, and the right-hand "M" mark indicating the year, in this case 1937-1938 - mystery solved with extensive googling and helpful comments from IVAN49. Editing to add that I found another Egyptian filigree bracelet with very clear marks - I've added a comment with the link and photos so you can see what the purity mark looks like.
This is a beautiful silver filigree bracelet. Each panel has a lapis lazuli cabochon, and all the panels are stamped with two marks on the edge. Some of them are stamped on the filigree wires rather than the wider edge so are almost impossible to make out. I've put a photo of the clearest mark. One looks like an M (or W if I have it upside down!).
I found this in a box of Indian jewellery so I thought it was from India too, but I've since found similar bracelets online that claim to be Egyptian, Turkish and Chinese.
There are 6 panels altogether with a push pin clasp - however it's very short (only just 6") and too small for me to wear which I'm a bit miffed about!
UPDATE - when I reported back to my Mum about this, it turns out that her uncle was in the RAF and out Egypt way a lot in the 20s and 30s, so he would have brought this back for one of his sisters (my grandma and great aunt). There are two more bracelets, one from 1939-40 and one unmarked. See link in comment 16.
I don't recognize those marks, but if a magnet sticks to it then it's not silver.
Thanks for that :)
I found this chart with Egyptian date stamps - "M" would be 1937-1938 which would fit with some of the other items it was with. I can't make out the other mark though.
http://hallmarkwiki.com/?ShowHallmark=5693
It definitely is a beautiful hand made bracelet.
I have Egyptian jewelry posted here, but the marks are different.
Thank you, I love it but short of having bones removed from my wrist I'll never be able to wear it!
From what I've read Egyptian silver would have 3 marks and this only has two...
LOL! I have the opposite problem. I need bracelets not longer than 6 1/2 inches. I wear mostly small cuff bracelets or other wide bracelets.
Thanks everyone for looking and for the love.
Efesgirl, this one is 6" exactly, maybe it will fit you? ;)
I can fasten it but it needs to be slightly longer to be comfortable.
My eyes are getting sore peering at webpages of hallmarks!
Wow, so beautiful...
Thanks martika - I've uploaded some better photos now.
It will definitely fit! :-)))))))
Egyptian marks, sometimes three, sometimes even one. Is it really letter ``M`` or distorted ``cat`` mark?
Thanks for the input IVAN49 - I wondered that myself, but I'm pretty sure it really is an "M". Looking at the other mark with a loupe, I think it's the purity mark for 800 silver as seen here (middle mark):
http://hallmarkwiki.com/?country=Egypt&province=Cairo
Hi,
I work with filigree and .800 is the best fineness because both .900 and sterling (.925) are too soft for bracelets, especially if there are stones to be set. Silver of higher fineness is easily distorted and that`s the only reason for lower fineness, I mean one does not save much with 10% lower fineness.
Thank you again Ivan, that's great information for me. I think that's it then, Egyptian, with a purity mark for 800 silver and a year mark for 1937-1938.
Mystery solved!
Beautiful Bracelet & Great Solve, IVAN !!!! ! !!!!
I've posted details of a second bracelet with clearer hallmarks here:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/202570-another-egyptian-silver-filigree-bracele?in=693
Loooove Egyptian!