Hi, can anyone help me with these hallmarks. I know it’s a Chester assay, maker is James and William Deakin, but non of the ‘P’ date marks look the same as the photograph for Chester assay.
Thanks in advance
Liz
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- See my website at Chester Dates 1884-1900 where I note the variability of punch shapes.
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Hi, thank you, yes I’d already looked at that but although the 1898 ‘P’ looks right, I thought the bottom of the shield was different. Is it 1898 then, even if the shield isn’t quite the same? Sorry I’m still learning
Liz
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Yes, it’s 1898. The P looks the same to me but note that it was hallmarked over 125 years ago; maybe it’s that many years of wear that makes it look different to you.
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You are well looked after on the statutory hall marks and sponsor marks but have you also satiated your curiosity about the registration number 198314?
In a previous post about this maker Phil had explained how these design registration numbers were assigned, why they were needed given there was hallmarking showing origin and maker and what they meant back then.
If you click on the triple bar on the upper right of this or any other forum page and, when prompted, type in the name of the silversmith you will discover his earlier most useful and informative comments on the matter
And also some of mine or why this company used a desk bell as a trademark to distinguish itself from another maker with the same initial array.
Now, apropos the hairbrush itself which you have thoughtfully displayed with such detail we can see the broken badger or boar bristles; it is a quite marvellous pattern and likely part of a complete set of brushes etc for a lady’s boudoir which may well include hand mirrors, comb cases and holders, button hooks and clothes brushes. Do you have the rest of it?
Can you imagine the lady’s maid pushing this brush to polish her mistress’s hair – rather the same way grooms of race horses and hunters use body brushes and hay whisks to bring out the sheen in an animal’s coat by stimulating the oil glands?
The button hook, if you have one, is often the most puzzling to the modern buyer. Back then small flat buttons were used under boot tops and in other hidden places to close garments. You need the hook to pull the button through the loop or hole.
Sometimes set came complete with glove stretchers, another puzzle. Why would a lady wear gloves up over her elbows and why would they need stretching? Luckily veal, real veal, was very popular then and the gloves were made from the hide of the unborn calf that provided that delicacy and those gloves needed washing and drying very carefully on a stretcher otherwise they would become a single use pair.
Back then air conditioning was not available and the early electrical and candle light threw off immense amounts of heat which added to the body heat from a well executed waltz or even more ambitious foxtrot quickly putting the ballroom thermometer into the late 20’s centigrade.
I suppose, next to perhaps a toothbrush, a hairbrush is one of the most intimate objects you can collect and I expect there is a niche market out there for the sets or even single items. I expect Forum readers would be most interested to know a little more about what you have collected and the use you are thinking of putting it to.
CRWW
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The registration number immediately piqued my curiosity, given the year Phil provided. I’ve been waiting for your reaction because something doesn’t seem right…
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198314 was issued in 1892 so it just means that the design was in production from that date. A popular design could be produced for many years after the original registration.
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Thank you so much for your most informative reply. I am sorry I did not answer it earlier, but I have been very poorly with a chest infection and haven’t been on the forum until today.
I decided to make a hobby of collecting antiques, into a business and become an Antique Dealer after I lost my husband last August. I’m 62 years old now, but have a passion for antiques and Fine Art History. I have a lot to learn, but it’s so fascinating and educational to learn about the history of objects. Every day is different and I just wish I’d done it before.
So to answer the question about the brush, no I don’t have any more of the set. I bought it from another antique dealer last year. I knew it was something a bit special, so I saved it hoping to find more of the set in the future. I am intrigued to know about the number.
regarding the button hooks and glove stretchers, I have both in my personal silver collection. I’d first learnt about them as a little girl. My Grandmother had them both, having kept her boots and gloves for over 70 years. She would show me how they were used. This was one of the things that got me so interested in antiques. I also used to dig up clay pipes from her garden when I was about 7or 8 years old and sell them for pocket money.
Once again, thank you for taking the time to give me all this information
Kind regards
Liz
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Thank you, I will look for these numbers in the future, I had no idea that were so important.
Kind regards
Liz
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Thank you, this is very helpful, I appreciate your input, thanks.
Kind regards
Liz
Thank you for your note. Interesting about the clay pipes. In Dublin in the 1960’s they were still popular.
So you lost your husband and started collecting silver. My experience is exactly the opposite. For some reason whenever I lose a spouse the silver tends to disappear along with them. It’s great incentive to part on good terms, that way you get invited to dinner and get to use them again. The silver, I mean.
Again it shows how things change and, some say, improve. Back in the 17th century if you were invited to dinner you’d best bring your own knife and spoon, forks being considered superfluous but, because dining was casual and tables communal, you might acquire friendship à table.
Now at dinner the silver is generally there already but you’re expected to supply your own friend.
It’s called dating. Which I note folks on on this site consider refers to what you are asking my associates to do with Chester hair brushes. Date them.
Which goes back to my original slightly impertinent question as to the purpose of your acquisition.
CRWW
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Sorry ___4 ____your ____loss…
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Hi,
when I said I’d lost my husband, I meant he had died. That’s what people usually say when someone they love has died. We were together 44 years. I started to collect silver and to be an antique dealer to try and help me with the grief.
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Thank you, that’s very kind of you
Liz
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