Featured Silver Bird Value

Hi, I picked up a silver bird at a thrift store, for $5. I thought it looked so pretty. Does anyone know these markings and also what would be the real value of the bird? From the zoom in pic, I can make out an obscure icon, star symbol, 87, then R, then GR, 2 0, 925. I found what some of it means online, but never found my exact bird or its value. If any experts can shed some light, it would be awesome. Thanks.

Bord by TinaBirdie posted Feb 17, 2024 at 12:45 PM

Stamp by TinaBirdie posted Feb 17, 2024 at 12:45 PM

 

Very nice...especially at the $5 price!

 

The only mark I know is 925 and that means sterling silver.
There are a lot of silver mark experts who hopefully will take a look soon and identify the other marks.

At first glance I thought it was a dove but then I noticed it looks like a duck bill.

Is it solid or hollow?

 

Good deal!

The second mark with the star symbol and 87 is a partial Italian mark, used since 1968. The unreadable bit would identify the region where it was made and the number the smith.

 

Doesn't the R mark mean it is silverplate? In this case plated with .925 silver?
GR and 20 could be the weight of silver, 20 grams?

 

That's a possibility and could be so. I can't wait to find out, lol.

 

R on Italian silver items stands for Reimpito. A layer of silver over a resin interior.

See this link to a site that has a section for these marks if you scroll down about halfway.

https://www.silvercollection.it/italianhallmarks.html

 

Great find Baker-it seems like someone else shared a 'Reimpito' bird with us in the last year ?

 

I don't know whether it was a bird, though. Most of what I have replied to has been hanging art, I think.

 

A whale. https://www.antiquers.com/threads/silver-whale-970.77465/#post-9419805

 

Yep,that was it.

 

Hi, thanks guys. I was also able to find this online but no clue what the value is? Curiosity is killing me lol.

 

It’s a weighty, solid bird.

 

The only possible comparable that Google lens finds is a “925 silver laminated duck” offered by a charity in Spain. The duck weighs 650 grams and is offered for a BIN price of €125, with a make an offer option. I assume laminated means plated/filled/Reimpito.

The tag and a label identify it as made/sold by Luigi Boscolo, Argento, Made in Milan, Italy. Luigi Boscolo may have been a store in Milan in the seventies or so since there are a handful of old decorative items (ceramics, glass) by the same name on eBay.it. A few of those are also birds/depict birds.

https://www.ebid.net/us/for-sale/th...ned-by-the-artist-luigi-boscolo-220465955.htm

Apart from the cuteness, desirability, collectability, rarity etc factors ( i.e. it’s real price is what someone will pay for it), you could guesstimate the rock bottom value from the amount of silver it has (20 grams) and the current spot/scrap price ( about $23 per troy ounce).

Hopefully it’ll fetch more if you intend to sell it.

 

Wow, thank you so much! That’s so informative! I don’t plan to sell it, I was just so curious! I just got into antiquing and it’s super fun finding treasures!

 

You did well. I was immediately imagining the bird in a flower arrangement. It’s likely too heavy for a Christmas tree ornament.

 

I had one last year with very similar markings. Sold it for $225

 

Wow, cool! I figured $5 was a good deal