German Maker's Mark

[ValkyrieVixen]

Didn't know if anyone knew who DWB is, I was told it is from around the 1920's which fits since the Richter and Berchem shop started in 1919 but that's about all I could find. I couldn't find if Berchem was a silversmith, I got some hits on an artist by that last name but he was a painter. It's hard to find anything when it's all in German. lol

[Bahner]

Hello, D.W.B. is for "Deutscher Werkbund" (see the internet) of which the workshop was a member. The workshop of Richter-von Berchem still exists in Bad Kreuznach, Germany. They have a homepage. Hedda von Berchem was a goldsmith, the second wife of Oswald Richter. Since the 1930ies the workshop used the mark shown here. Best wishes, Bahner

[ValkyrieVixen]

Thank you, glad to know what the letters mean and a better idea on the date. :)
I found their webpage but their wasn't a whole lot of info and the Google translator didn't make it too easy to read. lol

[silverport]

O. Richter & v. Berchem D.W.B.

Hello ValkyrieVixen

That’s the fascinating mix of »925-1000«, the multi-cultic and multi-national members, which helps to find reliable and sounded solutions for all questions (if possible!).

I e.g. had 60 years ago only 15 hours English lessons; that are all — but now I’m busy with my sixth language.

Already without the assisting picture, assisted by my knowledge of the German language, and also by my knowledge of some of the cultural background, I had the “right” clue:

»D.W.B.« signification is: It’s an abbreviation of registered membership in the Association of »Deutscher Werkbund« (German Applied Art Work Association). Founded on 6 October 1907 from German Architects, Artists (of all kind, like e.g. gold- and silversmiths, graphic artists, painter, photographer … One of the founders was Peter Bruckmann; 1918-1933 DWB’s CEO was Theodor Heuss, after WWII he became the first German President.

»D.W.B.« history please look here (well, the translation is in parts incorrect): http://www.answers.com/topic/deutscher-werkbund" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
(in German: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deutscher_Werkbund" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)
(in German, the »Werkbund« themselves: http://www.deutscher-werkbund.de/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

But let’s now come to the other topic: »O. Richter — v. Berchem«

(Today it was already to late when I saw your topic, to get cleared by a phone call with »Richter von Berchem« workshop, from where results the names second part. So I guess, that Oswald Richter married an Art minded lady, which maiden name was »von Berchem« - the »von Berchem« are nobility from history on).

Please look here to their actual web-page: http://www.goldschmiede-richter-von-berchem.de/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I will now translate for you the German to English, as correct as I could:

Workshop with tradition:

In 1919, Oswald Richter has founded in Saarbrücken a gold and silversmith's workshop. With several employees he produced there silverware and jewellery. Oswald Richter introduced in the profession a joint processing of several different metals, such as silver, gold and platinum. He went herewith to new aesthetics of the goldsmith's style of art. Oswald Richter won recognition with his precious metal processing, even on the other sides of the German borders. 1937 was a piece of his jewellery at the World Exhibition in Paris designated with the silver medal. During the WWII, in 1944, the shop, as well the workshop Richter von Berchem’s (R v. B) too, has been destroyed in Saarbrücken. In the subsequent expatriation of the Saar area, the way of the family led to Bad Kreuznach. Here they made a restart in the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Strasse 5; where even today the O. Richter v. Berchem very special shaped style is still in progress.

After the death of their parents, the Richter von Berchem workshop was 1969 taken over by Mechthild Loh-Richter. She continued the workshop in the sense of their parents with the 1998 deceased master goldsmith Erwin Stegmaier.

Now the third Generation of the family is thrilled by the goldsmiths’ creativity. Nina Lohmann is already many years active in the company, with an overwhelming love for her profession.

Today, a young, creative and talented team working on the implementation of your wishes!

Manufacturing, repairs, alterations, engravings and setting of stones, all will be done locally in our own workshop.

Kind regards silverport