by Pietro
Fantazzini and Giorgio Busetto
|
click on images to enlarge
THE MYSTERIOUS MARK ON AN ITALIAN COFFEE POT
In Newsletter # 22 (February 2006) Nikica Vuletic submitted
this question:
...On some Italian silver objects I found hallmark REC in a
lozenge. In handbooks I was not able to find meaning of this
hallmark. I do not believe it could be a maker's mark or
manufacture but rather some official state mark (tax, import,
export ??).
REC on my photo is stamped on a teapot that I bought in Croatia
(with AL -town of Alessandria- hallmark with fascio).
Another hallmark REC is together with '800' on the bottom of a
silver glass bought in Trieste (Italy: near the Croatian border).
The answer of Giorgio Busetto was:
The use of the lozenge 'REC' as an official Italian hallmark is
unknown to me.
I believe it may be a maker's mark (of unusual shape!) or a mark
used during Italian occupation of Croatia in WW2.
On March's Newsletter Ellen Fuerst wrote:
...I also have seen 'R_C' (it's not clear to me that the
middle character is an 'E') on some older Italian silver pieces.
In each case, I have found that the item seems to be related to
either Cesa (Italian hallmark '1 AL') or Ricci, both of which
are part of Gruppo Greggio in Italy. I would suggest trying to
contact Gruppo Greggio with a photo of the piece and your
question.
Now, after four years, the little mystery can be solved and
the mark identified. The lozenge with 'R', 'C' and an '&' in
the middle is the trade mark used by RICCI & C., Fabbrica
Argenterie Posaterie, Corso Acqui 41/A, Alessandria.
Ricci & C. was active in Alessandria since 1931 and, after the
introduction in Italy of the new hallmarking system (law of
February 5, 1934, n. 305), its products were marked
"20 AL" (with a "fascio" in the middle until c.1945).
|
Ricci marks (from Ricci
1966 catalog)
|
The coffee pot subject matter of Nikica Vuletic's question
was manufactured between 1935 and c.1945, but the model was
still in production well after this period as a similar coffee
pot is illustrated in the catalog published in 1966 by Ricci & C.
to commemorate the 35th anniversary of its founding.
In this catalog the coffee pot, identified as "model
32", was offered in two versions:
6 cups, art. 611/03, h. 15cm, weight 350 gr., handle
in wood (natural and on black lacquered) and in ivory
(with surcharge);
and
2 cups, art. 611/01, h. 10cm, weight 170 gr.
|
|
|
Some time later Ricci entered into partnership
with A. CESA & C. S.p.a.
In a 1991 advertisement published by A.CESA & C.
S.P.A. Fabbrica Italiana Argenterie Posaterie (mark
1 AL), identifies "CESA 1882" and "RICCI" as
trade marks.
|
In 1995, Rino Greggio Argenterie SpA, Via Tagliamento 5,
Selvazzano Dentro (Padua) took over the trade marks CESA 1882
and RICCI.
Both marks continue in use today on heir high quality, silver, flatware and
hollowware products.
Images from Ricci 1966 catalog
|
|
Pietro Fantazzini and Giorgio Busetto
- 2010 -
|
|
ASSOCIATION OF SMALL COLLECTORS OF ANTIQUE SILVER
