Posted 12 years ago
Alpha1
(17 items)
Have researched as best I could.
As you can see it is Sterling Silver.
Have not been able to read/ identify the "writing" @ the top of the handle's backside.
Where the bowl & handle connect is that a "T" on the backside? If needed I will take a new picture(s).
Approx. 3 1/2" long.
Is this a Tiffany spoon?
Age?
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Lovely piece! And a mystery too..doesn't get any better than that! I downloaded your picture and worked with it. I'm pretty certain it says Gallopolis O. Is there any connection between this spoon and Gallopolis Ohio?? As for the marks on the silver near the bowl, the picture is much too blurry to tell anything about it. Can you try to repost it so I can have a better look?? :-)
My Mother was raised in Ohio; so Gallopolis, Ohio makes sense. Thankfully you have better eyes than me.
I will post a better picture 2day @ the earliest.
Glad I could help! *S* I doubt my eyesight is better than yours, Alpha1. I blame/attribute my occasional ability to decipher things like this due to reading physician's handwriting for over 30 years. *LOL* I look forward to seeing the letter on the bowl and the marks on the lower handle. I love the form of this spoon, too. Thanks for sharing it! :-)
Rococo silver salt
chinablue,
I did a seperate post of 4 more detailed pics. Using a white background seemed to help.
You appear to be correct on the city inscription on the top
miKKoChristmas11,
Thank you
So is the letter located on the back where the bowl & handle connect an "S" ?
Also, I just did a seperate post of 4 more detailed pics.
Hi, Alpha1! Good photos in new posting! If you mean the letter that has been engraved by hand, no it's definitely not an "S". It's a very odd shape for a letter! If it is a letter and not just a symbol. Strange mark - done by hand - and not too cleanly. Looks like it might have been done after the bowl was gilded? Very nice spoon, but quite a mystery. Chinablue is a wizard, so she might well figure this out. : )
Great new pictures! This is what I've come up with so far. The hallmarks on your spoon handle, the lion passant facing RIGHT, the anchor and the letter G, along with the word 'sterling' is most likely Gorham. The Gorham hallmark since 1865 is that of a lion facing right, an anchor and the letter "G." Prior to 1865 the Gorham lion faced left, as one would find on British sterling. I haven't found the pattern name yet, but if I do, I'll certainly let you know! And for what it's worth, the letter etched/engraved on the bowl looks like either a "P", "L", or maybe "S". Do any of those letters have significance to you or your family?
Hi, chinablue! Didn't mean to horn in on you. : (
I think it could perhaps be an "I".
PS: Without a border around each of the hallmarks, this piece would date to the last quarter of the 19th century.
NOT a problem, miKKo! Jump right in anytime! We always seem to brainstorm best together *S* And yes, I can see where it could also be an "I" too. How about you pinning down the pattern? My eyes are starting to cross. ;-)
Sorry, chinablue! I remember when once you asked me to pitch in and look at a font to discern what letter/s might be present, so I took a look at the letter, and it's a very odd one. Found the pattern. Posted it on the other entry. Don't know how you could see the Gorham hallmarks!!! You have an eagle eye and excellent skills!!! I could just see the mystery hand-engraved 'letter', the word "STERLING", and one hallmark that looked as if it might be in Old English font. Anyway, pattern is a Rococo style, and it is circa 1885, "No. 18-C". Here's a link:
http://www.sterlingflatwarefashions.com/Patterns/Gorham16.html
Goodnight, all!
Once again, you amaze me miKKo! I think we make a great team, don't you? I love sifting through info with you on items we find! And anyone that does or has done calligraphy as you have, is priceless in deciphering some of these date letters and such. I'll be anxious to see if any of the letters mean anything to Alpha1. (and what in the world did you apologize for, lady!?) See you next time! :-)
WoW ! You people are Fantastic!
Thank You ALL! There is so much to know, & learn.
I have no idea what a P, L, or S would connect/refer to. Her maiden name began w/ a G. Unless it could be the 1st letter of someones 1st name & they marked it.
Agfain, Thanks to ALL!
Hi, Alpha1! "G" it is, then! I had originally considered "G", "I", "J", and "P". I deleted my proposed comment before posting because the letter looked highly stylized, but so off-standard that I wasn't even sure that it was a letter at that point. It was the custom in that period for a bride-to-be to choose the silver pattern, and if she had her silver monogrammed, it was her maiden name that was used for the monogram, not her married name. I should like to point out that I do not think that this monogram was executed by Gorham or a fine jeweler. It is much less accomplished, which also gave me pause when I had considered posting the possible set members of likely candidates. An endearing “G”. Very beautiful spoon, and a wonderful family heirloom! Thanks for posting and providing such excellent assistance. Glad you've joined CW. Looking forward to more excellent posts from you! As for chinablue, she is superb!!! and delightfully kind, as well. : )
Oops, I did also think "L" a possibility, too. I thought "S" unlikely.
Thank you very much, chinablue and Jimbo, for your most kind and generous comments!!! You are super sleuths, and so kind, that it is delightful to work with you!!! : D
We feel the same way miKKo! One of my favorite things here at CW, other than looking at all the marvelous things everyone shares, is to research the "unsolveds" People such as you make it even MORE fun! That's why I send out my "miKKo signal" (think bat signal, only with a big M glowing in the sky instead of a bat) when I find hallmarks that don't make sense or I find writing I can't decipher. :-)