London Silver Vase Hallmark Query

[jsphoto]

Hi All,

Hope someone can help me identity the hallmark on the far right of the set on my vase. The vase is quite large at almost 15" high, I know the maker is James Barclay Hennell, and it is dated 1878 London. The far right hallmark I cannot find on any website, so hopefully someone will be able to assist. I have placed a small silver cup on the right next to it to give an idea of the size of the item.
Many thanks in advance.

Dave
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[dognose]

Hi Dave,

Fantastic item. I guess that it may be a retailers marks. Could you post a high defination photo of just that mark? It may just give a clue.

Regards Trev.
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[jsphoto]

Hi Trev,

Thanks for the reply. Here is a close up of the right hand mark that I cannot identify. The piece is amazing, I have described it as a vase, but it might be a presentation cup, the cartouche is blank on both sides though.

Dave
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[Granmaa]

I believe Hennell was a retailer. This mark is found on only some of his items, so it may identify a single manufacturer.

Miles
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[jsphoto]

Miles,

Are you saying that the mark could be a retail mark, and that Hennell could have been the retailer as well as the maker.

Dave
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[Granmaa]

More likely he was only the retailer.
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[jsphoto]

Miles,

Thanks for the reply. Does this possibly mean that the JBH hallmark on my vase is for Hennell as the retailer, if so, then there is no makers mark on the item, unless the unitentified mark on the far right is the makers mark?.

Dave
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[Granmaa]

Although the most commonly used term is "maker's mark", the assay offices now use the term "sponsor's mark". This is because no matter who makes the object, anyone can put their own mark on it and then take it to be assayed and hallmarked. This is neither an illegal nor a recent practise. The 1856 Parliamentary Report into the assay offices mentions it, and I would be very surprised if it didn't also occur in the 18th century.
Researching the Exeter Assay Office records I came across a letter addressed to the assay master from a "maker" asking if it would be alright for him to bring in Indian silver for hallmarking. The response was yes.

I believe if you go to the London Assay Office website you can read the laws relating to hallmarking.

Miles
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