Silver ring hallmark Identification - Need help

[Diogo]

Hello there,
Yesterday in south Europe, inside family property, were I am in quarentene, found several objects with my garrett At Pro in a small area in countryside.
Need help to Identify some of them (I think probably around 16th century) specially a silver ring with hallmarks that I have no idea from what period is from.

Thank you so much

 

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[ANTIQUARIAN]

Welcome to Tnet from Toronto Diogo!
Happy to hear that you're still self-isolating too.

Your silver ring certainly looks to be old, maybe consider re-posting your question here... Jewelry

"Since pre-Roman times gold and silver have been used as currency or as the counter deposit for money and one can imagine that a not so scrupulous person, with little fear of severe punishments, would find a means to tamper with the precious metal. Scraping a small portion of a gold coin or diluting a golden ornament with non-precious metals while selling it as pure gold, could in time build a small fortune and that type of counterfeiting was not uncommon in days gone by. In present time, labour costs exceed the profits to do so. It was for this reason that in the late middle ages, several European sovereigns issued regulations requiring that all gold and silver artifacts be marked with a unique stamp to identify the maker of the object; a responsibility mark to protect consumers.

From medieval times to the mid-19th century, hallmarks were used only as a means of consumer protection. This changed around 1840 when falsified hallmarks, named “pseudo marks” appeared on the market to dodge taxes. In those days, the English government raised taxes on imported gold and silver work, with the exemption of antique items. Paying taxes has never been on the priority list of entrepreneurs and some gold and silversmiths in Germany and the Netherlands started stamping marks on their jewelry and silver work that mimicked antique hallmarks. A second factor was the renewed interest in antique artifacts of the applied arts that was kindled by the first World Exhibition in London (1851). The smiths of the day, mostly trained in the old tradition, were more than happy to provide the market with freshly crafted “antiques” and the mimicked hallmarks added to the authenticity of those desired objects."

Stay healthy my friend,
Dave

 

[GoldieLocks]

I think you may be thinking Maker's Mark. But the possible "A" and "S" insignia initials may have been the wearers. I suspect it is a man's wedding band.

 

[xr7ator]

Welcome aboard and thanks for posting your neat old finds. I'll bet you have a LOT of land to search!

GOOD LUCK and please keep posting the history you find!

 

[TheHbeast]

That flanged ring that you found is a ring for an umbrella. I know its hard to believe, but I believe it is the washer that helps support the struts that allow the fabric to be evenly supported.

 

[A2coins]

Cool finds Welcome to tnet you can google Hallmarks also

 

[Diogo]

thank you so much