Hi there, we have inherited this beautiful silver tray/plate and wondered if anyone could help to identify what the letters are in the engraved monogram or could tell us anything about the plate. Thank you
Better quality photo of hallmarks, please.
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The date letter looks like K for 1845/46.
The mongram is upside down in your picture and appears to start with F or T then maybe CSA plus something else at the end.
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What has happened in the centre section? It looks as though a circle has been cut out and replaced by another piece.
Is this often seen, and what is it, exactly? Perhaps I am misreading the image.
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No you are entirely correct. Many old plated trays and holloware had .925 silver patches added to them where the proud new owner might want to put his initials. Engraving into plate would have exposed the underlying copper or brass. Unusual is for it to be done with soft or lead based solder. This may indicate a later removal and substitution.
Your question raises the entire issue of why bother putting your initials or crest on a low value item in the first place. And a complete answer to that question may cause the inquirer to recall in full the nursery rhyme. " Oranges and Lemons, said the bell of St Clements" The lyrics cite all the London bells a condemned silver thief might have heard on his way to the gallows at Tyburn from the court at Old Bailey although the last line about “Here’s come a chopper to chop off your head” was probably actually a hangman “to hang you until dead”. The initials were useful in identifying sterling silver stolen which, in the 18th century has a higher value to wages than today, and was copied by plate owners in mimicry of their richer neighbors. Of course all this came to an end when Londoners stopped public executions and maiming of their former now condemned house servants in favor of colonizing Australia with them. CRWW
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