Brooch, barrette, ..... hallmark?

[DiggerBug]

I need some help with a piece I dug yesterday.

First, I have no idea what it is. It's smashed and looks to be a personal item of jewelry. Maybe a brooch, barrette....I don't know? The name CENA is engraved on the top. Hubby broke the top piece off of the bottom trying to straighten it.

Second, I've exhausted all my resources looking for the hallmark and have come up with nothing.

Anyone have a clue?

 

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[Bigcypresshunter]

I dont know what it is but maybe made in Mexico. http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/beautiful-1930s-mexican-cena-sterling-silver

 

[DiggerBug]

BigCy, it's stamped with a hallmark then Sterling. CENA is engraved on top.
I am following your lead though but so far no other Sterling online marked Cena. There was one Mexican maker named Celsa but that was as close as I got. I did keep getting John Cena, WWE star .. haha!

Thanks for you help! I'll keep looking.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

BigCy, it's stamped with a hallmark then Sterling. CENA is engraved on top.
I am following your lead though but so far no other Sterling online marked Cena. There was one Mexican maker named Celsa but that was as close as I got. I did keep getting John Cena, WWE star .. haha!

Thanks for you help! I'll keep looking.

OK I see what you mean. I see the hallmark. Are you thinking CENA may be an engraved name perhaps?

I cant find Cena in a list of baby names. http://www.babynames.com/Names/C/?starts=C&namestart=CAYDEN&namestop=CHAELA unless its a last name.

and I dont see Cena here http://www.925-1000.com/mexican_marks.html#M

but it is on the Worthopedia flask.

I removed the other Worthopedia link because I couldnt find Cena in the listing although it came up on the search. I wonder what it means?

 

[DiggerBug]

BigCy, yes that's what I was thinking. Pics 6 & 7 you can see the engraving. Not very fancy for sterling I'd say.

 

[Bramblefind]

That mark reminds me a bit of this one I worked on before which was decided to be "La Pierre" -but it is different enough that it could very well be something else entirely-

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,340051.0.html

 

[artyfacts]

The way its shaped makes me think it was a handle for a small hand. Maybe it held a mirror or small hair brush. Arty

 

[DCMatt]

I think it is or was a nail buffer. Possibly late Victorian.

DCMatt

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

That mark reminds me a bit of this one...

Yes it does. It also reminds me of a Chinese character.

The one on this cash coin is different but has similarities.

 

[DiggerBug]

Still haven't found the hallmark but I'm with you BigCy in thinking it looks oriental.
Bram, that's pretty close.
Arty & DC, I was thinking maybe a knob or something, but I think ya'll are more on track.
Thanks for all ya'll help and input. I really appreciate it!

 

[Kenosha Kid]

"Most Mexican silver hallmarks known today are found on pieces made ca 1860s onwards. Although the authorities tried to regulate silver and purity content at various times, the standards and notation of silver marks changed frequently and, more importantly, were not strictly adhered to by the various silversmiths in Mexico. Consequently, we have two to three periods of ten or so years, when certain silver marks were used to signify Registration or "Tax Paid", such as the Mexican Eagle found on many ca 1940s – 1970s silver jewelry, to initials plus numbers after 1980. Most Mexican silver antiques made during 1860s – 1930s bear only the words “Sterling” or “Silver”. The vast majority of Mexican silver antiques and jewelry were made with at least 925 silver content."

http://www.marks4antiques.com/Identify-Silver-Antiques.htm

That being said, I don't think it's Mexican silver (unless done by an unknown silversmith). I've checked every hallmark in my "Little Book of Mexican Silver" and came up short. It vaguely resembles Chato Castillo; however, his is similar to the La Pierre hallmark and neither of those match. The only attachment to it being of Hispanic origin is "cena", which is Portugese for 'scene'...or Spanish for 'dinner'.

There is an American Indian (Zuni) artist, Cena Woobthee but both the jewelry and hallmark don't begin to compare.

Yes it does. It also reminds me of a Chinese character.

Most likely it's of Chinese or Japanese export. They stamped kanji symbols on their exports for Westerners.

"These early (1890s-1930s) Hong Kong silver makers marks were usually the initials of the Silversmith in Kanji (simple Chinese) and sometimes followed by a few Latin letters or numbers. Japan followed similar beliefs and most Japanese silver production is recent, ca 1960s to Present."

 

[DCMatt]

Pretty sure it is a nail buff...

DCMatt

 

[dg39]

Part of a nail buffer.
DG

 

[DiggerBug]

Thanks everyone! Now we know it's a nail buffer! So that's part is solved but the hallmark is still a mystery. Is there a half checkmark for half solved?

Thanks again! You all are great!