Identify mark on Silver Altar Wine Vessel / 'IHS'

[laughinglizard]

Hello, I wonder if anyone could help me identify the mark under this Altar Wine Vessel. I have put it under 'Silverplate', as the mark doesn't tell me otherwise.
Of the three symbols shown, only the third mark CEF is clear.
First mark could be a head or a numeral.
Second mark could be a jug on it's side.

It has three pieces :-
1. Silver stopper with attached cork (cork somewhat worn)
2. Lid engraved IHS (which shows it is church related)
3. The main Vessel which has 12 panels.
It has a small 'cut out' on the base, with an engraved arrow above, as though it has fitted in a Cruet.
Height is 4.5 inches and diameter of base is 3 inches.
I would be so glad to have any information about this item regarding age or maker.
I am new to Forums, so just hope my Images will be visible.
Many thanks, Shirley

[2209patrick]

Hello. I enhanced your picture of the mark.
Don't recognize it, hopefully someone else will.



Pat.

[laughinglizard]

Hi Pat,
Many thanks you for doing that. So the mark is a mystery for the time being.
The item looks like solid silver and is an attractive piece. Hope someone might recognise it.
Regards,
Shirley

[2209patrick]

Hello Shirley.
I have to tell you I was just about to give up on your mark.
As I was going to exit this thread I noticed you live in Australia, so I checked my Australian book.

I believe your piece is sterling silver.
It was made by Charles Edward Firnhaber (1806-1880).
He came to South Australia from Bremen Germany in 1847.
Worked as a silversmith in Australia 1849-1875.
Very highly regarded silversmith, one of Australia's best.




Here's a couple examples of his work.


Pat.

[laughinglizard]

Hi Pat,
We are ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED with your information, the fact this is Australian makes it even more special to us now.
When we first bought it my husband thought it had a similarity in style and shape to a silver Tea Caddy we owned, but then was disappointed to find what looked like a foreign mark.
So THANK YOU once again from both of us.
Adelaide in South Australia is called 'The City of Churches', so it could be Charles Edward Firnhaber moved there for that reason.
Our beautiful daughter-in-law also comes from there :)
Many thanks once again, you have made our day !
This website is quite amazing !
Best wishes,
Shirley

[2209patrick]

Hi Shirley.
You're welcome. Very glad I could help.

My book says he originally worked out of his home on Union Street, North Adelaide.
By 1856 he had moved his shop to 123 Hindley Street, Adelaide.

Pat.

[torti666]

Dear Shirley

Alas the images for this item have been taken off the post.

Would it be possible for you to post them again.

Have handled quite a few pieces of Firnhaber and would be interested to see this on a comparative basis.

For your interest they are generally around 80-85% silver content as the South Australian silversmiths of Germanic extraction were more comfortable working with .800 content silver than the softer .925 content silver as used by English silversmiths.

Regards

Anthony

[dognose]

Hi Anthony,

Welcome to the Forum.

Any information you can add regarding Charles Edward Firnhaber or any of the early Australian silversmiths would be gratefully accepted in this topic: 'Early Australian Silversmiths' http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic ... 38&t=18484" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Trev.

[2209patrick]

Cup presented to Sir Richard Davies Hanson on July 14, 1862.
Made by Charles Edward Firnhaber.

[laughinglizard]

Hi Anthony,
I attach the images you requested for the mark on my silver Firnhaber Wine Vessel.
Regards,
Shirley
http://s1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd4 ... nglizard1/

[torti666]

Dear Shirley

Thank you very much. Always love to discover unknown pieces of Firnhaber.

It would appear to be part of a travelling communion service.

Please see the bottom left tab of my archives to see the two pieces I sold the Art Gallery of South Australia.

http://www.tusmoreantiques.com/HansonSalver.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Regards and considerable thanks

Anthony