Maltese Silverware Information

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dognose
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Re: Maltese Silverware Information

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GIO. CARLO CASSAR


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Hand - 'M' - GCC

Gio. Carlo Cassar was granted his warrant in 1774. He was appointed Consul for Silversmiths in 1806.

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Re: Maltese Silverware Information

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VINCENZO CROCE SCHEMBRI

Valletta


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V. Croce Schembri - Valletta - 1858

Vincenzo Croce Schembri appears on the Voter's list for Malta in 1860 at Strada Santa Lucia 42, and in 1870 at Strada Forni 48, Valletta.

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Re: Maltese Silverware Information

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MALTA

Silver and Plated Ware

Consumption And Trade

These islands have become celebrated for silver filigree work, but change of fashion and the introduction of artistic and cheap silver and gold ornaments and other lines of silver and gold ware, as also electroplated ware, has very much affected local manufacture. Prices of silverware were fixed by a local law at the time when local manufacture was at its zenith, although the price of raw silver has been very much modified, and the former valuation is adhered to. If the local craftsmen are at all working it is merely to obtain the difference between the cost of silver and the legal valuation. To enumerate the different articles of silver and plated goods which are on sale here would be a long proceeding, but if nice and cheap articles are properly brought before the buyers in such a way as to commend preference there is no doubt that some trade would result.

Duties

There are no duties imposed upon silver or plated goods, and therefore no statistics to enable me to give an idea of the extent of the trade consumption.

Outlook for American Ware

I know of no obstacle in the way of increasing our trade in this line except indifference in not sending personal representatives here. As regards packing, no special directions are needed, as goods may be shipped hero direct from New York and there is no preparation in view of transshipment needed. Buyers here are particular in making purchases to be given prices f. o. b. New York or, if possible, c. i. f. Malta. Often an American house located in the interior of the United States will refuse to give prices other than f. o. b. at the places where they are located. In such eases the would-be buyer here is in the dark as to what his goods are going to cost landed at Malta, and I have known several such cases where by such obstinacy our manufacturers have lost permanent and financially good customers.

Plated ware has been imported from the United States in the past, but in small quantities. Such as has arrived here has not come direct, but by way of English, German, or French houses. There certainly is room for an extension of trade in American plated ware here, but this will almost wholly depend upon the work of visiting representatives with samples. I have time and again distributed illustrated catalogues to dealers here, but they take little pains in the matter of consideration. The American drummer will receive due attention and take fair-sized orders. Drummers from German and French houses come here with their samples and do a good business. The same applies to solid silver goods. The manufacture of silver goods has been a local industry here for a considerable time, and there are many dealers in jewelry of all kinds.

John H. Grout, Consul.
Malta, February 22, 1902.


Source: Special Consular Reports, Volumes 22-23 - U.S. Government Printing Office - 1900

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Re: Maltese Silverware Information

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ME


Examples of coin dishes by the as yet to be identified Maltese silversmith 'ME':

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ME - 800 - Maltese Cross - D



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E - Maltese Cross - 800 - ME

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Re: Maltese Silverware Information

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ROBERTO CANNATACI FALZON


An example of the work and mark of Roberto Cannataci Falzon:

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R. CANATACI


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See: http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=44089

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Re: Maltese Silverware Information

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SAVERIO CANNATACI


Noted as using the mark:

SA
CA


The mark has been noted alongside the 'Stag's Head' mark, and the letter 'F'.

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Re: Maltese Silverware Information

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GIO. BATTISTA NAUDI

Noted as Consul for goldsmiths and silversmiths:

RETURN OF OFFICERS WHO HAVE GIVEN SECURITY FOR THE DUE DISCHARGE OF THEIR DUTIES

Gio. Battista Naudi - Consul for Goldsmiths and Silversmiths* - Personal bond £350 in solidum - Sureties: Luigi Muscat (date of Contract, March 13, 1873.)

*The responsibility of Consuls ceases with the lapse of two years from the 1st of January subsequent to the date on which the article was stamped. Vide Regulations under Ordinance No. II of 1856, published in Gazzette No. 1897 dated December 12, 1856.


Source: Malta Blue Book for the Year 1883 - 1884

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Re: Maltese Silverware Information

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ANTONIO LUPI

Noted as Consul for goldsmiths and silversmiths:

RETURN OF OFFICERS WHO HAVE GIVEN SECURITY FOR THE DUE DISCHARGE OF THEIR DUTIES

Antonio Lupi - Consul for Goldsmiths and Silversmiths* - Personal bond £350 in solidum - Sureties: G. Pace Balzan (date of Contract, January 17, 1876.)

*The responsibility of Consuls ceases with the lapse of two years from the 1st of January subsequent to the date on which the article was stamped. Vide Regulations under Ordinance No. II of 1856, published in Gazzette No. 1897 dated December 12, 1856.


Source: Malta Blue Book for the Year 1883 - 1884

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Re: Maltese Silverware Information

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Consul John H. Grout, of Malta, reports that American jewelry and plated ware are likely to secure a footing in that island. The firms there are very much pleased with American lines, as shown in catalogues, but they hesitate in buying from lists without having seen actual samples. Mr. Grout offers to show samples to native dealers if any American firms care to send them to him at shipper’s risk and expense. Malta imposes no duty on jewelry and silverware.

Source: The Metal Industry - February 1906

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Re: Maltese Silverware Information

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D. AZZOPARDI & BROTHER

Valletta

Thought to have been established in 1896 as D. Azzopardi & Brother. The business is now known as The Sterling Group, with 26 retail outlets throughout Malta and Gozo.

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Re: Maltese Silverware Information

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GM


Examples of the work and mark of the as yet to be identified Maltese silversmith 'GM':

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GM - Maltese Cross - 925 - B

See: http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=46287

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Re: Maltese Silverware Information

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GIOVANNI TONNA


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GT - M - 1853

Member Joho wrote:

The mark appears to be that of Giovanni Tonna from 1806. There is also a Giuseppi Tonna (1849) and Guglielmo Tonna (1857) but their marks are different. Ref: Antique Maltese Domestic Silver - Jimmy Farrugia.

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Re: Maltese Silverware Information

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SALIBA

19, Triq il- Kavetti, Marsascala,Malta


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A family firm of filigree jewellery workers whose history can be traced back into the 19th Century. The business of Gaetano Saliba.

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Re: Maltese Silverware Information

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CN


Examples of the work and mark of the as yet to be identified Maltese silversmith 'CN':

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CN

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CN

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Artisans Centre - Valletta-Malta

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Re: Maltese Silverware Information

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FRANCIS ABELA & SONS

876, St. Joseph High Road, Hamrun


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Francis Abela & Sons - Hamrun - 1970

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Re: Maltese Silverware Information

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EMIDIO CRITIEN (CRETIEN)

Strada Forni, later, 58, Strada Reale, Valletta



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Emidio Critien - Valletta - 1880

Among the best shops is that of....Cretien, Strada Forni, Jeweller and Goldsmith

Source: Travels in Europe and in the Island of Sicily - Mariana Starke - 1836


Emidio Critien was an exhibitor at the Great Exhibition held at London in 1851. The report of his display recorded the following:

Cretien E. Strada Forni, Valletta. Manufacturer. - Gold filligree: Bracelets; rose-chain bracelets; cross and knot brooches. Double pin for hair. Rose chains. Flat and rose rings etc.

Silver Filligree; Basin. Oval plates with flowers. Round plates. Card-cases. Candlesticks. Teaspoons. Cups. Wreath for the head. Bead bracelets. Pins. An arrow for the hair. Bouquet-holder brooches. Stars. Knot, tie, and shawl brooches. Rose chain etc.

Gold articles: Gold rose chain for waistcoat. Broad flat rings.


Emidio Critien was granted his warrant on the 1st December 1818.

Marks of Emidio Critien:

EC

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1840


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1844


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1855


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1856


A spoon by Emidio Critien:

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EC - F - 1854

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EC - F - 1854

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EC - F - 1854

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Re: Maltese Silverware Information

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Characteristics of the Jewelry Trade of Malta

Washington, D. C, Dec. 8.—A timely report on the trade of Malta has been received from Consul Kennedy, in the course of which he states that clocks and watches are not manufactured in Malta. There are, however, numerous jewelers and so-called watch and clock makers. The prices of German clocks and watches vary from 15 to 100 shillings, according to quality, size and finish. English watches are almost entirely superseded by those from Germany and Switzerland. There is only one firm in Malta that imports English watches, and even this solitary firm does not deal in them on their own account, but as agents A German watch in a gold case may be obtained for $25, while a watch in a silver case costs about $10.

Articles of silver for the use of churches come principally from Rome, Germany and France. Those for household and other purposes are imported exclusively from Germany, their price being so low that similar articles from other countries cannot compete with them. Plated articles also come principally from Germany, their price being cheaper than that of similar articles imported from other countries, and they are consequently preferred.

Jewelry and ornaments are principally imported from Germany, England and France. Those coming from Italy, especially from Turin and Milan, are preferred to the German and French articles on account of their solid workmanship and of the good quality of the stones, and as being in imitation of the English style. Jewels are fairly mounted in Malta.


Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 14th December 1898

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Re: Maltese Silverware Information

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A Listing of Jewellers working in Valletta in 1933:

Azzopardi, A. & F. str. S. Lucia, 168 & str. Mercanti, 39
Azzopardi, D. & Bro. str. S. Marco, 66
Azzopardi, Albert, str. S. Marco, 18a
Borg, Michael & Co., str. Reale, 269
Buhagiar Paolo, 13, Sda. Reale
Busuttil, G., 54, Sda. Reale
Cachia, Gius, str. S. Lucia, 145
Meli, Francis, str. Reale, 50d
Mifsud, Amabile, 140, Sda. S. Lucia
Preca, Mizzi Giorgio, 38, Sda. S. Lucia
Testa, O & Co., 203, Sda. Mercante
Zampa & Co., Sda. S. Lucia
Zampa, Joseph, str. S. Lucia, 31

Source: Kelly's Directory Of Merchants, Manufacturers And Shippers Of The World - 1933

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Re: Maltese Silverware Information

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SN


Example of the work and mark of the as yet to be identified Maltese silversmith 'SN':

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SN - F - 1847


See: http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic ... 57&t=51719

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Re: Maltese Silverware Information

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MC


Example of the work and mark of the as yet to be identified Maltese silversmith 'MC':

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Maltese Cross - 917 - S

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MC

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