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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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Welcome to new ASCAS members:
Michelle Spalding - USA
Michael Wilson - Australia
Marjorie Wood Hamlin - USA
Steve Zachariasz - Poland
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
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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
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
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
This month ASCAS presents a trade card and a postcard of a Mexican silver factory
MANUFACTURERA PLAMEX S.A.
In this column we present an abstract from a page of the "What is? Silver Dictionary"
courtesy of
FERRULE (COLLAR) & CAP
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