Can’t identify this spoon

[rickertmork]

I found this near a thrift store. It appears to be silver, but I can’t find those symbols anywhere on it the goog, I know you guys can help. There are no other markings. It bends easily like silver should and doesn’t stick to magnet.

 

[unclemac]

I would say not English.... where did you find it, what European settlers were common in that area?

 

[rickertmork]

I would say not English.... where did you find it, what European settlers were common in that area?

It was in a thrift store in Encinitas California, has a long history, not sure about specific stuff I’d have to research it.

 

[Red-Coat]

Those are Danish marks for silverplate. Rotating your picture (and the marks are not all in the same orientation), the top mark is a ‘Two Towers’ mark:

That mark was intended to be used by all Danish producers of silverplate from around 1921 onwards and was accompanied by the letter ‘P’ in a circle, standing for ‘Plet’ (plated) as on your spoon. Like this:

In 1926 the Danish Standards Association was founded and in 1929 they deemed the mark to be a failure because it wasn’t industry-backed by any agreed quality standard for the plating. Many makers stopped using it not long afterwards, especially those who were members of the FDG (Fællesrepræsentationen for Danmarks Guldsmede or Common Representation of Danish Goldsmiths). In 1929 the FDG registered a ‘Torch’ symbol as a trademark to be alternatively used by its members only as a quality mark for silverplate and the Foreningen af Sølvpletfabrikanter (Organisation of Silverplate Manufacturers) took over the rights for the trademark from FDG around 1932.

The other mark will be the maker mark, but I can’t tell if it’s ‘BN’ or ‘RN’. Either way I don’t know who that is, but it’s not a well-known maker.

 

[rickertmork]

If it was plated wouldn’t it be not easy to bend? Those are the 2 towers great work mate

 

[Red-Coat]

If it was plated wouldn’t it be not easy to bend? Those are the 2 towers great work mate

Depends what the underlying metal is, and there are a number of possibilities with different degrees of strength.

 

[tamrock]

I got a two tower spoon sitting on a bookshelf in my home office room full of the stuff I've collected. It has another mark that's pretty flat and unidentifiable.

 

[rickertmork]

Those are Danish marks for silverplate. Rotating your picture (and the marks are not all in the same orientation), the top mark is a ‘Two Towers’ mark:

View attachment 2242305

That mark was intended to be used by all Danish producers of silverplate from around 1921 onwards and was accompanied by the letter ‘P’ in a circle, standing for ‘Plet’ (plated) as on your spoon. Like this:

View attachment 2242307

In 1926 the Danish Standards Association was founded and in 1929 they deemed the mark to be a failure because it wasn’t industry-backed by any agreed quality standard for the plating. Many makers stopped using it not long afterwards, especially those who were members of the FDG (Fællesrepræsentationen for Danmarks Guldsmede or Common Representation of Danish Goldsmiths). In 1929 the FDG registered a ‘Torch’ symbol as a trademark to be alternatively used by its members only as a quality mark for silverplate and the Foreningen af Sølvpletfabrikanter (Organisation of Silverplate Manufacturers) took over the rights for the trademark from FDG around 1932.

The other mark will be the maker mark, but I can’t tell if it’s ‘BN’ or ‘RN’. Either way I don’t know who that is, but it’s not a well-known maker.

So how on earth did you know that?

 

[DizzyDigger]

So how on earth did you know that?

Red Coat knows all.......

(really, he does!)

 

[Red-Coat]

So how on earth did you know that?

A lot of silver and plate has passed through my hands over the last 40+ years. I also have a comprehensive reference library, much of it digitised and searchable.

 

[invent4hir]

Red Coat knows all.......View attachment 2242346

(really, he does!)

Plus he takes the time to share his knowledge - and TNet is better for it!