Silver Gilt Buckle. Marks query.

collecting.dust · Post by **collecting.dust** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 9:08 am

Hi again Folks

Back again with another mystery mark I am hoping you can help me with.

I have been trying to figure this mark - its is a strange one
Buckle is silver gilt and reasonably heavy substantial piece - 77.4 grams.

Not sure what the central stone is - but the other stones look to be Onyx ?? and Mabe Pearls

The cartouche mark is a fancy scroll shape with a T.B
I can only assume this must be a makers mark.
There is also a number five stamped on both halves of the buckle loops.

I am not sure of country of origin. It looks a little french ???

Can anyone ID or date this ??

Anyone know this one or can shed any light ?
Much appreciate your help.

Debbie

kerangoumar · Post by **kerangoumar** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 1:32 pm

Sorry I can't help you with the mark; the centre stone, however, is glass. If you look at the zig-zag nature of the striations you will see that the glass has been manipulated to approximate the banding in onyx or agate. In natural stones there is no mechanism that would result in such zig-zagging.

The link below will clearly show what natural banding looks like - unfortunately it is the longest ever.
image

(admin edit - Please do not add links that create long scrollbars, they make ever post in the thread a pain to read, to see how I've compressed yours, please read the tutorial found in Posting Requirements)

Bahner · Post by **Bahner** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:33 pm

Hello, what makes You think it is silver ? Are there any other marks except the one shown ? The piece reminds me of the simple jewellery from the Gablonz (today Jablonec) region of Bohemia. Which would explain why the central stone is most probably glass. Best wishes, Bahner

collecting.dust · Post by **collecting.dust** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 12:23 pm

Thank you for your thoughts and responses.

I have tested the metal in the areas where the gilt is slightly worn through near where the buckle fastens and I get a clear response that the metal under the gilding is silver.

I do agree the central stone is most likely an art glass.
Having seen and handled a lot of czech jewellery I dont generally see much use of mabe pearls in czech jewellery from the gablonz area. They are not usually as heavy as this piece is is either ??

Mabe pearls were used quite extensively in austro hungarian pieces - but the styling on this doesn't seem to fit with an A/H origin either ???