Realcent.org

Hi,

I picked up this silver tray today at a thrift store. It has 3 hallmarks on it: a bear, a face, and a bird.

From what research that I have done, I found that the bear is likely a Swiss silver hallmark.

Does anyone know what the other hallmarks are? Is this sterling or silver plate?

Thanks

https://arveres.catawiki.hu/kavels/1151 ... th-century

An early 20th century (circa 1915) silver serving tray made by Pochon Frères & Co.

Fitted with the following hallmarks:
- Stamp maker Pochon Frères & Co
- Stamp city Bern Switzerland
- Content stamp
- Dutch tax stamp for silver objects.

The "bear" was used for silver 875‰ and higher, independent the actual fineness.

The Swiss finally recognised 925 as a single higher fineness for silver in 1933 with a duck hallmark, in the process abolishing the previous 875 and 935 grades.

Finally don't take the above as 'fact' just what I turned up. there was a heated debate on one forum regarding these marks. Especially since the 'dutch tax stamp' for imported objects should be the letter 'V' So I think the above catawicki lister is incorrect calling the 'bird mark' a Dutch tax stamp.

The 'Bern bear' hallmark was for items 'at least. .875 fine, they later introduced the 'bird hallmark' for .925 fine.

No gaurantee that any of the above is correct.

It is impressive how much talent there is on this site!