Cake Server Markings 800 Chevrons in a circle?

[darn-near-everything]

detailed silver cake server marked 800 with chevrons? in a circle. anybody recognize? Please help if you can... could this be another form of the Hanau city mark? No country code of any sort. Thanks in advance Vineta @ DNE

Sorry this is the best picture I could get as the markings are only 2mm total size!

ps. Also could anyone reccomend a good (inexpensive) book to help with hallmarks?

[admin]

A good general starter book, and inexpensive one is
"Old Silver" by Seymour B. Wyler. (can be had for about $12 bucks used)
The book covers English, American, and European hallmarks.
English section is extensive with many maker's mark as well as hallmarks.
American section is only coin silvermiths maker's marks.
European section is large, but only hallmarks, no maker's marks and it is hard to get the hang of.

For American maker's marks I recommend starting with both;
"Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers" by: Dorothy T. Rainwater
"American Silver Marks: 1650 to the Present" by Ralph & Terry Kovel


The next level is "Poincons d'Argent" by Tardy (about $50), probably the most extensive book on hallmarks of the world, but NO maker's marks.

Most of these are available (new and used) through Amazon and you can access them through the "books on silver" page on this site.

As to your piece, yep, your instincts were right, it does have all the earmarks of a Hanau piece. Florid antiquey decoration and probably cast rather than wrought. I'd guess that it dates from the 4th quarter of the 19th century.
Hanau has a strange place in silvermarking history, hallmarking rules were rescinded around 1850 and the silversmiths were allowed to use pretty much any marks they chose. Many chose to use antique marks of other countries and cities, which causes a great deal of confusion to some silver dealers.
Not sure if your mark is the town mark in use just before 1884 (when the German Crescent & Crown mark replaced town marks) or if it is a maker's mark chosen by an individual maker.


Tom
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