Silver salt cellar

[Beachkid23]

Finally I get something to post. Feel like it’s been forever! Found this today at an antique mall for $20. Flip it over Marked 800. $145 in silver. Need to find another crystal for it someday as one is chipped. The cashier kept looking at it, saying it looks like it’s silver. I’m thinking don’t you dare see that Mark and take it away!!!

 

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[Red-Coat]

Good amount of silver.

That’s an Italian hallmark and it looks to have ‘MI’ on the right hand side of the coffin-shaped lozenge, which would be for Milan. Fineness marks may or may not have a surrounding border. From its introduction in 1935 until 1944 the lozenge had a ‘fascio’ (bundle of rods including an axe) in the centre. I don’t see it on your mark, so it will be from between 1945-1970.



These marks don’t include a date-code. Any numbers on the left hand side of the lozenge relate to the maker’s registration, but I think mid to late 1940s would be about right. The maker’s mark at the far left appears to be a lion facing left, which would be for Ditta F.lli Di Leone, registered in Milan on 22nd May 1935 and ceased trading sometime after 1970. ‘F.lli’ is an abbreviation of ‘fratelli’ (Italian for ‘brothers’).

 

[Indigo Knight]

Nice piece! I would be tempted to keep that for myself, even with the chip. It may be difficult to find a replacement.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Very nice find!