British silver hallmarks were first introduced in 27. Marks in watch cases hallmarks, sponsors marks, etc. The vast majority of english, scottish and irish silver produced in the last 500 years is stamped with either 4 or 5 symbols, known as hallmarks. To date your silver from its hallmark first identify the assay office e. Poole 1989, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. The vast majority of english, scottish and irish silver produced in the last 500 years is stamped with either four or five symbols, known as hallmarks. English, scottish, irish silver and gold marks from 0 to the present day reprint by ian pickford, ian pickford isbn. Since hallmarking began, the leopards head has been used in various forms to denote the london assay office. Platinum, gold, silver and palladium which are intended for sale are required to carry a hallmark. Then click on the appropriate link below to go to the tables of date letters.
A selection of 18th, 19th, and 20th century british silvermiths illustrated with their. Dublin silver is struck with a crowned harp, to which a seated figure of hibernia was added in 1731. The prime purpose of these marks is to show that the metal of the item upon which they are stamped is of a certain level of purity. Today a copy of the latest 2014 edition of bradburys book of hallmarks dropped through my letter box, and i was happy to see that it finally covers the hallmarking of imported watches, and recognises in a new section about imported watches that the new hallmarks that were used on imported gold and silver items other than watches from 1904 were not used on. It was edward i 12727 who first passed a statute requiring all silver to be of sterling standard a purity of 925 parts per thousand ushering in a testing or assay system that has survived for over 700 years. Hallmarks on british sterling silver hallmarks on sterling silver cannot be properly deciphered without learning some of the historical logic behind the coding and consulting a good reference book. From 1842 it was illegal to sell imported gold or silver in the uk unless it was assayed tested at a british office. Makers mark this particular set of marks tells us that this item was made of sterling, in the city of london, in the year 1789, during the reign of king george iii, and by the silversmith thomas wallis. What follows here is a brief overview of silver hallmarks in england, scotland, and ireland. The hallmarking of british sterling silver is based on a combination of marks that makes possible the identification of origin and age of each piece. Buyers of antique silver products made in the uk should therefore notice several different hallmarks stamped into. In england the craft was regulated by the guild of goldsmiths at london and in ireland by the guild of dublin. However the main object of silver hallmarking was and is to protect the public against fraud.
Yet this reduction in the purity of the silver also reduced the coins value. This numerical format was introduced in 1999 and shows the precious metal content of the article, expressed in parts per thousand. Approved by the british hallmarking council on 15 april. There may be some variations in backgrounds during the late 19th century, especially on watch cases. The standard mark this mark shows that the fineness of the metal meets a specified legal standard. Sterling silver jewelry from israel product identify maker, location, and time period. A hallmark can only be applied by one of the four uk assay offices. Discover the difference between silver items and items that just look like silver identify important construction techniques and understand how they effect quality. The date letters below show the background shape for silver.
How to read hallmarks a guide to reading hallmarks on. Most british and irish silver carries a number of stamps indicating not just the standard or purity mark typically the lion passant but also the initials of the maker, a date letter and the place of assay. Understanding hallmarks in victorian silver the antiques diva. This is a non profit project, which started in aug 2015. Conversely, convention hallmarks that have been applied in other member countries are recognised in the uk. British hallmarks include a fineness or purity mark, an assay office mark, a date letter, and usually a makers mark, with the sequence of marks arbitrary. Jan 15, 20 first published in 1937, the book of old silver thoroughly chronicles the fascinating history of the art of this precious metal, starting in england, which produced more fine silver than any other country and ignited the crafts greatest flowering. Silver hallmarks do not just apply to sterling silver. Ever since its publication in 1905, english goldsmiths and their marks, or jacksons, has been the bible for scholars, dealers and collectors, selling in hundreds of thousands. English silver hallmarks dealer guides by judith banister a very good reference book on hallmarks for looking up makers and the year it was made would recommend read more helpful.
How to identify a silver piece hallmarks scottish silver. Sterling silver, britannia silver, gold, palladium, platinum. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The shield design around the assay office mark may vary according to whether the article is gold, silver or platinum. As a quality control measure, hallmarking has proved itself to be a very efficient method of marking hundreds of thousands of items. Lapada guide to reading british silver hallmarks lapada. The ambition of this website is to create a complete reference guide of swedish hallmarks from late 1600s to c 1930s. Buyers of antique silver products made in the uk should therefore notice several different hallmarks stamped into the surface of the pieces they are buying. This guidance applies to all gold plated silver articles below the 7.
First published in 1937, the book of old silver thoroughly chronicles the fascinating history of the art of this precious metal, starting in england, which produced more fine silver than any other country and ignited the crafts greatest flowering. The two main assay offices in scotland were based in edinburgh and glasgow. Although there are many books on the market which can be used to help read hallmarks, the standard book of reference, used by dealers and collectors worldwide. It began at the goldsmiths company assay office in london 700 years ago. Although there are hundreds of different hallmarks, the british hallmarking system is highly structured and clear. Reading and understanding british silver hallmarks. This handysized guide is drawn from the extensively revised edition of jacksons silver and gold marks of england, scotland and ireland, published by the antique collectors club in 1989. Russian silver hallmarks marks postnikova book catalogue w. There are plenty of pages on how to read english hallmarks on the net, in this article ive tried to take the subject back to basics and start from scratch. The prime purpose of these marks is to show that the metal of the item. To navigate the site, it is easiest to use the green menu bar at the top of the screen. The same letters were used for gold, which has been marked in birmingham since 1824, but with a background of a square with cut corners.
Jewelry tips to care for your precious gems british standard and town marks the standard purity mark is usually a symbol, that varies, depending on the region. The hallmark is a picture or number that reveals the precise. How to read english hallmarks antique pocket watch. By law in the uk, precious metals over a stipulated weight i. More information can be found in this guidance leaflet issued by the british hallmarking council. Sequences of historical marks for the following offices can be viewed through the links below reproduced courtesy of the british hallmarking council. Marks are presented on 456 pages in monochrome facsimile format that is clear and easy to read. Hallmarks began as a means of noting the silver content of coins. Bradburys book of hallmarks a guide to marks of origin on british and irish silver, gold and platinum and on foreign imported silver and gold plate 1544 to 1977. Starting with an advise how to find your makers mark this book will leed you easily to your sought after maker with the additional information about his working period. The marks that were placed on silver assayed here followed the same rules as the english assay offices except for one notable difference.
With a jewelers loupe and simple 5steps instruction, even a novice can decipher them. British hallmarks on silver from the period considered usually comprise four or five individual marks. Understanding and learning to recognize these marks can help you avoid costly mistakes in both the purchase and sale of antique english silver. Silver hallmarks marks are always an incredibly helpful tool.
Tassle bookmark sterling silver with feature hallmarks including birmingham anchor and lion passant sterling silver 925 with a blue tassle at the top. Book series covering gold, silver, platinum, and palladium hallmarks, these books document hallmarking countries from around the world. British silver hallmarks antique silver uk, sterling silver. Silver hallmarks are used by virtually every country in the world to mark their silv. British sterling silver hallmarks help to identify the maker and year of manufacture of sterling silver items produced by great britain. Base metals were added to the bullion, or precious metal, to increase the coins strength. It is regularly updated as we find and photograph new examples of silver hallmarks and makers marks. From 1904 the carat value of gold was also shown and for silver the decimal value of the standard was used. If these texts are currently ed in the country you are located in, you will not be able to view them.
Circa date a piece of silver and identify the maker know what makes a piece collectible and why. A guide to british sterling silver hallmarks hobbylark. Jul 09, 2012 the result of this was harsh punishment, and by 1757, silversmiths who passed off diluted silver using fake hallmarks could be sentenced to death. British sterling english hallmarks, irish hallmarks.
To ensure the quality of british silver, each piece of english silver from 0 onward had four marks. British silver marks best books hoarders clearance. This sounds difficult, but just taking a few minutes with some pieces of english sterling and a reference book will help you decode the places and. The exemption is an exemption from hallmarking itself, not from the requirements of every other part of the hallmarking act 1973. The result of this was harsh punishment, and by 1757, silversmiths who passed off diluted silver using fake hallmarks could be sentenced to death. This mark tells you how fine, or what quality, the metal is, as well as indicating the metal type. European gold hallmark identification our pastimes.
English silver hallmarks by judith banister waterstones. If you are unable to identify the assay office from one of the town marks below you may have a. How to read english british sterling silver marks the uk system of hallmarks from the end of the 12th century the craft of silversmith has been regulated in conformity with royal ordinances and acts of the parliament. Some of the assay office marks of member countries of the convention are illustrated below. The metal is tested and marked at special offices, regulated by the government, known as assay. English, scottish, irish silver and gold marks from 0 to. It should be used as a guide only, and we recommend using the bradburys book of. Silver hallmarks guide the english silver hallmark system is the worlds oldest quality control standard for silver articles and gold, and has been in use since the 12th century.
In some countries, the testing of silver objects and marking of purity is controlled by a. The metal is tested and marked at special offices, regulated by the government, known as assay offices. Discovering hallmarks on english silver by john bly this book not only tabulates the hallmarks that enable the identification of silver items but also traces the history of english silver, describing some famous makers and provides hints on spotting fakes. Your spoons, knives and other flatware may have things to say too. English silver hallmarks paperback book the cheap fast free post. The book includes a preface, which details the organizational principles of the book. In scotland, a thistle was used instead of a crown. Buy english silver hallmarks dealer guides illustrated edition by judith banister isbn. Dec 27, 2014 today a copy of the latest 2014 edition of bradburys book of hallmarks dropped through my letter box, and i was happy to see that it finally covers the hallmarking of imported watches, and recognises in a new section about imported watches that the new hallmarks that were used on imported gold and silver items other than watches from 1904 were not used on imported watches until 1 june 1907. From 1798 to 1975, a crown plus the karat abbreviated c or ct for carat was used for the fineness or purity mark on gold. I am constantly adding new, and trying to improve the quality of the photos. Silver reference books encyclopedia of silver marks, hallmarks.