Austria-Hungary: Vienna 1856 "FS"

[orthogonal]

Just one week ago I bought my first fake:
http://925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=40732

So now I am quite nervous to ask: Could this item be real? Is there a "FS"(?) listed as "Hoflieferant" in Vienna in the 1850s?


Thank you for your help and support!

Thomas

[orthogonal]

Meanwhile I found this wiki-article that refers to "Schiffer Francisca und Sohn"
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_der_ ... anten_1856

Is it the Schiffer-hallmark?

[AG2012]

Compare the marks - the difference is obvious; meaning it looks genuine. Have seen many Vienna faked marks - always poorly executed and not very dangerous. Besides, always ask yourself:`` Is faking of the particular item profitable?``

[orthogonal]

Dear AG2012, thank you for your quick response! Well, I still can't see how faking last week's spoon is very profitable. It was not only my first fake Austrian silver to own, I didn't even see something similar before. Now I am aware I need to look more carefully (and finally get proper reference books). Luckily I learned this lesson with a relatively cheap item.

I see the difference in the two hallmarks. But, as I am just a beginner in collecting silver, the fact that one hallmark does not look like a proven fake, does not make me confident it's actually real. That's why I'm asking the experts. So if you say it looks genuine - I'm glad.

Can you confirm "Schiffer Francisca und Sohn"?

[huszas76]

Dear Thomas!
If you checking Franz Schiffer in "Neuwirth: Wiener Silber", you will find this:

Also she wrote see Eduard Schiffer:

I hope, this helps.
Best regards!
Krisztián

[orthogonal]

Dear Krisztián,

thank you for your support! I ordered a copy of Neuwirth's book just a few days ago and can't wait to finally have it on my desk.

If I interpret your scans correctly: Franziska and Eduard continued the company "Franz Schiffer ...", that's why they kept the old FS-hallmark, and the double-headed eagle was (regarding to wiki) not part of that legacy, but because she was granted the title "Hof-Gold- und Silberarbeiter" herself.

When it's cleaned, I will post pictures of the ladle.

Again: thank you!

Thomas

[orthogonal]

When it's cleaned, I will post pictures of the ladle.

Does the monogram read "MS"?
Is it likely to be an Austrian comital family as the ladle was made in Vienna?
Whose initials would be used (husband/wife/both)?

Thank you! Thomas