Tall candlesticks--need help with makers mark

[HistoryTeacher]

I took a gamble on these at an estate sale for $10.00. Each is exactly 1 imperial pound. I got them because I feel I have seen these maker marks somewhere and I hoped they were silver. They also seemed to have the right toning and weight. An acid test just now showed a weak red reaction so I am thinking might be plated now, but I am not great with acid-tests. I editing the pictures for the upload--one of the marks looks like a Minerva French mark? Any help on ID or period appreciated!

 

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[HistoryTeacher]

I took a gamble on these at an estate sale for $10.00. Each is exactly 1 imperial pound. I got them because I feel I have seen these maker marks somewhere and I hoped they were silver. They also seemed to have the right toning and weight. An acid test just now showed a weak red reaction so I am thinking might be plated now, but I am not great with acid-tests. I editing the pictures for the upload--one of the marks looks like a Minerva French mark? Any help on ID or period appreciated!

It looks like it is an .800 silver Austrian Athena mark dating from 1867-1922. Possibly Schwarz Emanuel: active in Vienna 1876-1910
Born in 1841. Silversmith and jeweler

 

[tamrock]

Great score.

 

[kali_is_my_copilot]

I took a gamble on these at an estate sale for $10.00. Each is exactly 1 imperial pound. I got them because I feel I have seen these maker marks somewhere and I hoped they were silver. They also seemed to have the right toning and weight. An acid test just now showed a weak red reaction so I am thinking might be plated now, but I am not great with acid-tests. I editing the pictures for the upload--one of the marks looks like a Minerva French mark? Any help on ID or period appreciated!

I use 18k testing acid to test for silver, you’re looking for a bright white/bluish reaction. Much easier to see than the acid for testing silver that comes with a kit.

 

[Rented Mule]

I agree on using the 18K gold testing acid for silver vs. the stuff they include in the test kits for silver. The 18K acid gives a very clear result for silver that is very easy to recognize once you have seen it a few times.

I use 18k testing acid to test for silver, you’re looking for a bright white/bluish reaction. Much easier to see than the acid for testing silver that comes with a kit.

 

[ARC]

JFYI....

The silver testing solution is not for use on the block folks...
It is for / used ON silver... which has its own tricks to testing certain items.

There are different methods of testing metals for different instances.
The streak on block with 18k test is NOT absolute in certain instances.

Also... reactions which resemble a positive for silver are not absolute either.
On very heavy or larger pieces they SHOULD ALWAYS have the NON 18k test.

Main reason being... heavy and quadruple plate will positive 18k every time.

Most times a deep scratch pin OR file is needed to absolute test.

 

[ARC]

PS... read up on proper technique for testing larger silver and absolutes... ALSO... i will have you also know JFYI...

The silver solution can also tell you the purity once you learn how to read the color reaction differentials.

Testing with 18k is the lazy / quick / prelim testing way.... i primarily do it myself... BUT... when in doubt or "funny".... its the silver solution for sure.

 

[HistoryTeacher]

Thanks all for the tips on using 18K acid to test for silver. I will start experimenting with that method. Fortunately, I was able to decipher the marks on this one and ended up with 907 grams of antique, Austrian .800 silver.