6 oz Madonna and child marked 925, but...

[HistoryTeacher]

The main reason that I enjoy this hobby (looking for cool/old things) is curiosity. If I see something I have never seen before, then I want to know more about it. That is what makes this website so great. I saw this at a local thrift store, picked it up because of the toning, and saw "925" in big, bold numbers on the back. The toning on the piece (gold, rose, copper) is actually quite attractive. That being said, the size of the marking made me suspect that this is a tourist piece from Europe or Israel that is plated. Then I noticed an engraving on Mary's lower left leg. It seems to say "Sam" and then about four more letters that I can't make out. Its definitely metal (not resin) and hollow. She's about 4.25" tall.

There is no maker's mark (unless it is under the felt) which is another red flag suggesting that it is plated.

I can't find anything like it online

Anyone have any experience with something like this?

Thanks

 

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[SDIceMan]

I have owned a candle holder in the past that was similarly marked with the prominent ‘925’, and I discovered it was ‘electroformed’ silver.

According to Google:

“The designs are made using the electroforming process, which is the formation of a layer of sterling silver over a mold of resin (similar to hard plastic). This method allows the creation of beautifully designed sterling silver sculptures and silverware with stunning detail in any shape or size without the heavy weight and cost that is typical to conventional solid sterling silver.”

“The electroforming process is when the artist takes the resin mold and puts it in a tub of charged sterling silver. Over a 10-12 hour process, the sterling electrically forms (i.e. electroform) itself to the mold. Then, the artist removes the piece and handcrafts more details, including oxidation for depth. After the final designs, a clear coat is added to the product.”

The whole idea that electroformed silver can be marked ‘925’ is a touchy subject with me, because I overpaid for the candle holder I purchased. To me it is just a glorified form of silverplate. Technically, however, it is different. Again from the web:

“There is a vast difference between electroforming sterling silver and silver plate. As opposed to the electroforming process mentioned above, silver plating is not sterling silver. With plating, a mold is quickly dipped in a silver-colored metal alloy. The process takes seconds and the silver alloy will not last a long time. There is an immense difference in the quality.”

 

[Professor of Engineering]

I think it is a nice piece regardless of coating.

 

[HistoryTeacher]

The whole idea that electroformed silver can be marked ‘925’ is a touchy subject with me, because I overpaid for the candle holder I purchased. To me it is just a glorified form of silverplate. Technically, however, it is different. Again from the web:

“There is a vast difference between electroforming sterling silver and silver plate. As opposed to the electroforming process mentioned above, silver plating is not sterling silver. With plating, a mold is quickly dipped in a silver-colored metal alloy. The process takes seconds and the silver alloy will not last a long time. There is an immense difference in the quality.”

Thanks for the info. I had never heard of electroforming. I agree that it seems like a type of silver plating that should be marked as such. After using your information about electroforming, I am convinced that this is electroformed. This video helped a lot and the large 925 and a similar figure show up in the video. Apparently, electroforming started in the 80's in Israel and is most commonly used in Italy and Israel so my instincts about it being a tourist piece seem confirmed.

Thanks again--that really helped my research.

 

[trdhrdr007]

I have owned a candle holder in the past that was similarly marked with the prominent ‘925’, and I discovered it was ‘electroformed’ silver.

According to Google:

“The designs are made using the electroforming process, which is the formation of a layer of sterling silver over a mold of resin (similar to hard plastic). This method allows the creation of beautifully designed sterling silver sculptures and silverware with stunning detail in any shape or size without the heavy weight and cost that is typical to conventional solid sterling silver.”

“The electroforming process is when the artist takes the resin mold and puts it in a tub of charged sterling silver. Over a 10-12 hour process, the sterling electrically forms (i.e. electroform) itself to the mold. Then, the artist removes the piece and handcrafts more details, including oxidation for depth. After the final designs, a clear coat is added to the product.”

The whole idea that electroformed silver can be marked ‘925’ is a touchy subject with me, because I overpaid for the candle holder I purchased. To me it is just a glorified form of silverplate. Technically, however, it is different. Again from the web:

“There is a vast difference between electroforming sterling silver and silver plate. As opposed to the electroforming process mentioned above, silver plating is not sterling silver. With plating, a mold is quickly dipped in a silver-colored metal alloy. The process takes seconds and the silver alloy will not last a long time. There is an immense difference in the quality.”

That quote sounds like it was written by someone in the electroforming business. Silver plate can be made many different ways......but all of those methods involve the use of "real" silver. Having said that, I don't know of any method of silver plating that has enough silver to justify the cost of recovery.

 

[WoodnHead]

It may be sterling. If not, it is still pretty and seems to sell half decently online, if it is Sam Philipe. I found a Sam Philipe who makes religious sculptures.

SAM PHILIPE - Christmas Gifts - Silver Sterling Statuettes

Scroll down to item NF-61

 

[HistoryTeacher]

It may be sterling. If not, it is still pretty and seems to sell half decently online, if it is Sam Philipe. I found a Sam Philipe who makes religious sculptures.

SAM PHILIPE - Christmas Gifts - Silver Sterling Statuettes

Scroll down to item NF-61

That is absolutely it! Great information. I was thinking the inscribed name was who it was bought for. Thanks so much.

 

[randazzo1]

With the electroformed pieces you can actually get a sheet of silver off of them. I had a bunch of 1980’s fredric duclos earrings - all singles. Crushed em up and refined them. Obviously wouldn’t do that with the statue, but it does have actual silver content.

 

[AlienLifeForm]

It may be sterling. If not, it is still pretty and seems to sell half decently online, if it is Sam Philipe. I found a Sam Philipe who makes religious sculptures.

SAM PHILIPE - Christmas Gifts - Silver Sterling Statuettes

Scroll down to item NF-61

Looks like it. If you are at work, lower your volume before you click the link or your co-workers are going to wonder what the hell you're up to.

 

[WoodnHead]

Looks like it. If you are at work, lower your volume before you click the link or your co-workers are going to wonder what the hell you're up to.

Huh! My browser, Safari, doesn't play anything when I'm on that page. Sorry if it's something loud!

 

[AlienLifeForm]

Huh! My browser, Safari, doesn't play anything when I'm on that page. Sorry if it's something loud!

No worries, it's some gospel hymn that autoplays when you click on it - at least on my windows machine running mozilla.

 

[JimDon]

Very nice score and great research everyone!