Is this Elizabethan silver? I am coming up with a 1592 date. Sauce pan with english hallmarks.

I'm hoping some of the silver experts can comment on this item. It is a little sauce pan with english hallmarks. It is about 3 inches in diameter, at the widest point. The purple near the handle in the 1st pic is a reflection.

 

I think that's the 1730 P, so more likely Georgian than Elizabethan.
Someone who really knows silver may know better.

 

Thank you. That's the problem I am having, trying to tell those apart!

 

The early town marks had wavy tops. This is a Georgian piece.

 

The maker's mark appears to be "IW." I thought I could Id the maker, but too many makers used "IW" in that time period for an ID. Also not sure if there is a dot between the "I" and the "W." Examples James Wilks, John White, John Wrenn I, John Welding or James Wiburd followed by several others going up into the 1800s. Here is a link to a several "IW" maker's mark used in that time period in London.
http://www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/Makers/London-IS-IZ.html#IW

The 4th punch is probably the City of London crowned lion/leopard head. I think I see the very top of the crown.

--- Susan

Maker's mark & City of London crowned leopard/lion head:

 

I'm used to well worn British hallmarks,and I see a dot there and the top of the town mark.
I'd not worry about the exact maker, it's a pretty old but pretty ordinary piece with no famous maker involved, so it would sell as what it is, not by who made it. I'd just quote the I.W mark and leave it at that.

I'd call it a sparrow beak sauce pot or pourer; saucepan seems to imply something else and much larger. The exception might be a brandy saucepan.

 

Here's a better shot of the maker mark, plus the one with the poor impression:

 

Although the exterior is smooth, the interior almost has a hammered look:

 

Thank you for the clarification on the item -- I hadn't gotten so far as to look for a similar item, and this is a big help. Dave

 

Here are some "ANTIQUE SILVER BRANDY WARMERS" similar to yours. Most of them are described as having a "sparrow-beak spout." The last one is Georgian, 1821, with a tapered body while yours has a plain round baluster body. The Georgian one has a hinged lid with a goat finial. I wonder if the lid on yours ever had a finial. These look in better condition than yours. They may give you an idea on descriptions.

http://www.bryandouglas.co.uk/silverware/brandy_warmers/brandy_warmers.htm

--- Susan

 

The early date would more than make up for the relative sophistication of the later Georgian ones.

 

Is there anything about the lion that would indicate an earlier date?

 

Earlier than 1730?

No.

 

Thank you - I have someone I work with that is still trying to make the case that it is an earlier piece. I wanted to be sure I wasn't missing something.

 

Your colleague is attempting to authenticate a 19th century Ford Mustang. That's a tough job.

 

What's wrong with Georgian?

 

The thought is that if it dated to 1592, it would be worth substantially more than a 1730 silver item.

 

OK. I really think it is the Holy Grail, with much later hallmarks. Only the handle and the actual cup part have been replaced over the years but it's still the same thing.

Tell him I have an authentic Ark of the Covenant but now it looks like an 18th C blanket chest that I am open to offers on, and in the shed somewhere there are some authentic Holy Martyr's Tears if the heating has not dried them out.

It's always wise to doubt the wisdom or accuracy of some random erk off the internet, but it's no skin off my nose what date it is, and if my comments had been doubtful, there are more than enough people reading this who are in a position to correct me. There are even books of hallmarks to be consulted to confirm what has been said.

We all want stuff to be better than it is, and sometimes look at it with our eyes closed to ensure it looks like what we hope for. That don't make it so.

 

Your comments have been much appreciated afantiques. It's extremely valuable to get the insight of those with true experience with the subject matter. I've worked with English hallmarks for several years now, but rarely items earlier than mid-1800's, so I've welcomed the chance to double check my evaluation. Everything I see with this item makes me agree with the 1730 date. Thank you for taking the time to comment! ... Dave