Hi all, I have recently acquired this gorgeous tiny 27g pin tray which I think is wardell and Kempson, Birmingham 1809. I believe it's .925 silver of the time. It's about 4.5 by 3 inch. What do you call the edge decoration on this? Also it's missing a duty mark is that normal or were they dodging the tax man? Lol. I can find various examples of w&k work but not a pin dish like this. Could it be worth anything? Also it has 5/- inscribed on the rear, 5 shillings obviously but could this be of the time out later added? Any other information also appreciated. Thanks Paul.
That lower case i date letter is for 1908, not 1809. Explains the lack of a duty mark, too. http://www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/Dates/Birmingham/Date Letters I.html
Oh yes! I'm beginning to think W&K might be something else now, back to look at the makers I guess. W. something .K ?
Given that the latest close-up image shows that there should be "dots" following both the W and the middle letter, I'm going with Houseful's suggestion. The list of items found with Keight's mark also includes appropriate wares.
Hmmm. And yet those dots are so large & clear & there isn't one after the K. Also, the one after the middle character is so out of line. It's odd, I agree, but before I read on to the point made about the dots, I was ready to say that the ambiguous character definitely looks like a form of an ampersand, sort of like this, except with the T on top of the E: ετ
I have to say I'm taking a leap of faith with middle character being G but hard to put the mark down to anything else. I don't think there is anything just w&k except wardell and Kempson which we now know is wrong period. That said it's quite off cue for what seems a good maker but maybe it's due to its tiny dimensions?
Not half! Does anyone know how to describe the border and what market was such miniatures aimed at? Is it for children or would it really have had a use such as putting buttons or pins on it?
There's no WEK (with or without dots) for Birmingham on my go-to reference site. There IS a possible WEH, however. http://www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/Makers/Birmingham-WC-WG.html#WE
That's a great enlargement you snagged, @Squidsworth!!! There IS a W.G.K on THIS page, with NO PERIOD after the 'K'.....scroll down a bit.....don't know if it helps....same link as @Bakersgma's, except the last two letters..... http://www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/Makers/Birmingham-WC-WG.html#WG
Probable never know for sure but safe bet is w.g.k for Keight. On the plus side I can't find another example so it might be rare if not overly valuable! Onto my painting now... I'll post that in another category.
