Mysterious and strange little sterling owl statue.

[shofs]

During this weekends silver hunt I came across a peculiar little sterling owl stature for $5 at an estate sale. The lady had a huge collection of little owl figurines mostly made of brass, pewter and porcelain each for $5 and I found this guy mixed in the bunch. I think I got lucky because this sale was absolutely packed it was shoulder to shoulder and the checkout line took about half an hour. Anyways I've had some mysterious pieces before but this takes the cake for me. There seems to be no history on this owl I can't find ANYTHING not even a hint. Its stamped "STERLING ISRAEL" and it appears that Israel does not manufacture much silver, at all, and nothing like this. I have tested it and it is in fact sterling. My usual website of knowledge simply has "more information needed" under the Israel section for hallmarks. Guide to World Hallmarks - Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Makers' Marks and google and ebay are reveling no secrets either. There is a sticker on the bottom of the owl that says "Silver Star" it looks like its the brand of where ever it came from and I've been focusing my searches on that but I can't find any company/brand or any history on that either. This thing has me officially beat.
But, without further ado, here he is in all its creepy glory.

This is the first time I've found silver with a felt bottom. Maybe its not weighted?

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A Handbook of Civil War Bullets and Cartridges - Grab it through Amazon!

[jamey]

i like it not creepy at all i do not think

 

[shofs]

i like it not creepy at all i do not think

Tell me that after its been staring at you from across the room all night haha. But, I do like it I'm saying creepy with love.

 

[jamey]

i think its a good find id keep it

 

[war-digs-it]

That's pretty cool! If I bought that I would glue some ruby gemstones into the eye pupils... just for added effect.

 

[jamey]

rs-rons-shop is selling a silver owl on ebay,he is in israel maybe he will know something

 

[shofs]

rs-rons-shop is selling a silver owl on ebay,he is in israel maybe he will know something

Thanks! Great lead. Some of what he is selling does have a similar look! There are some differences in the stamp and base of his statues so I'll shoot him an email hopefully he can help me out.

 

[jamey]

was wondering if you found anything out about it,yours seems too old for rs rons shop to have made it,i think it has an art deco look too it.

 

[joshua2]

nice sterling find even if it turns out not to be a collector item

 

[TreasureHunters]

Ill give you $6 for it!

 

[shofs]

was wondering if you found anything out about it,yours seems too old for rs rons shop to have made it,i think it has an art deco look too it.

I haven't got a response yet unfortunately. I did notice though that his statues are marked with a "925" stamp rather than a "sterling" stamp and his don't include a Israel stamp. I believe mine is a bit older based on that and that deep patina on the silver. Thanks again for the lead Jamey I'm not done pursuing it yet!

 

[TreasureHunters]

Figure this mystery Owl out!

 

[jamey]

ill keep looking,thought about typing in silver star in israel in the 20"s 30"s 40"s till i hit something,

 

[billjustbill]

During this weekends silver hunt I came across a peculiar little sterling owl stature for $5 at an estate sale. The lady had a huge collection of little owl figurines mostly made of brass, pewter and porcelain each for $5 and I found this guy mixed in the bunch. I think I got lucky because this sale was absolutely packed it was shoulder to shoulder and the checkout line took about half an hour. Anyways I've had some mysterious pieces before but this takes the cake for me. There seems to be no history on this owl I can't find ANYTHING not even a hint. Its stamped "STERLING ISRAEL" and it appears that Israel does not manufacture much silver, at all, and nothing like this. I have tested it and it is in fact sterling. My usual website of knowledge simply has "more information needed" under the Israel section for hallmarks. Guide to World Hallmarks - Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Makers' Marks and google and ebay are reveling no secrets either. There is a sticker on the bottom of the owl that says "Silver Star" it looks like its the brand of where ever it came from and I've been focusing my searches on that but I can't find any company/brand or any history on that either. This thing has me officially beat.
But, without further ado, here he is in all its creepy glory.

This is the first time I've found silver with a felt bottom. Maybe its not weighted?

Check out "Illuminati" or "Masons". Both use the owl as symbolism.....

 

[SILENTHAWK72]

Nice find! You could remove the felt then reattach with gorilla glue after you determine if its weighted or not weighted

 

[stlcardinalsfan]

very neat looking!