Help with identifying antique money clip

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by JamesForeman, Nov 29, 2023.

  1. JamesForeman

    JamesForeman New Member

    I pick this up at a local shop, it has a design that looks like art deco, stamped "sterling silver" but that's all. Took it to a coin dealer, he tested it above .925 but below argentium, he couldn't tell me who may have made it. 20231129_202117.jpg
     
    Joan and Any Jewelry like this.
  2. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    nice fingers....:hilarious:

    I don't see Deco, but more eyes will show up !
    In the meantime...please show us the markings.....like flat on a black cloth, for better resolution !!
     
  3. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

  4. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    Can you show the stamp please, the style is a clue.
     
    pearlsnblume and Any Jewelry like this.
  5. JamesForeman

    JamesForeman New Member

    20231130_052258.jpg
     
  6. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    The design is not Art Deco. It is an older design, but still replicated because of its appeal.
    Whereabouts is local, James? General area, if you'd rather not be specific.
    The mark does look like it could be Australian, but other former British colonies often use(d) similar marks.
     
  7. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    And it even shows up on smalls in the U.K.
     
    JamesForeman and Any Jewelry like this.
  8. kentworld

    kentworld Well-Known Member

    I think you could call that design "foliate."
     
    JamesForeman and Any Jewelry like this.
  9. JamesForeman

    JamesForeman New Member

    Whereabouts is local, James? General area, if you'd rather not be specific.[/QUOTE]

    In Chicago.
     
    Any Jewelry likes this.
  10. JamesForeman

    JamesForeman New Member

    The fact it could be British is even stranger that it's missing a hallmark.
     
  11. Hollyblue

    Hollyblue Well-Known Member

    Can you take a better photo of the front? It looks like something is odd with the engraving in the top photo.
     
    JamesForeman likes this.
  12. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Looks like it is roughly 'scooped out', for lack of a better term.
     
  13. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    It’s a bit of a myth that all British silver, or for that matter gold, has full hallmarks. Or any at all for that matter.
     
  14. JamesForeman

    JamesForeman New Member

    Sure, here's higher rez one.

    20231130_180549.jpg
     
  15. bluumz

    bluumz Quite Busy

    Nothing Art Deco about that, to my eye.
    Nice item, though!
     
  16. Hollyblue

    Hollyblue Well-Known Member

    It appears to be a cast "copy" of an original possibly made by a student/hobbyist,etc. The original was hammer and chisel engraved some what poorly.Nothing unusual about it being over 925,many casters add a bit of fine silver from previous cast 925 sprues when casting new projects. The leaves seem to be someone's attempt of achantus leaves.
     
    JamesForeman likes this.
  17. JamesForeman

    JamesForeman New Member


    Thanks, do you think it's 19th or 20th century?
     
  18. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    This type of money clip is 20th century.
    The concept as such is much older.
     
  19. Joan

    Joan Well-Known Member

    I like this money clip, but can't help with who would have made it. I would, however, like to learn more from @Hollyblue about how a person can tell if an item is a cast copy since I'm in the process of going through my vintage silver jewelry to identify makers, origin, etc.

    In the case of this money clip, when I click on the photo to enlarge it, I can see every sharp chisel mark even in the tiny cross hatching, so I would never have guessed it was a cast copy. I'm wondering what are the clues Holly is seeing that this is a cast copy.
     
  20. Hollyblue

    Hollyblue Well-Known Member

    There are casting bubbles on the surfaces and engraved lines.I circled a few....

    money.jpg
     
    Joan and Any Jewelry like this.
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