Hello- Reaching out to the community to see if anyone can identify a total of 6 incised hallmarks on a pair of tall candlesticks. Images will be attached. The tall candlesticks are incised “11:12” in the bottom of each candle cup. I find no other markings on the candlesticks. The fancy rings that fit in the candle cups have four hallmarks stamped into the side of each ring. The first is a small square with rounded corners. Inside this square are the capital letters “TI” placed directly above the letters “NC”. The next hallmark is a small rectangle with a lion facing to the left. All his paws are on the ground except his front right paw. The next hallmark shows a man’s head in profile facing to the right. He has quite a receding hairline - his hair starts above his ears. The last hallmark is a rectangle and contains a fancy crown on the left side and what appears to be a lowercase “q” on the right side. Additionally all 4 candlestick components have etched or incised dog mark that almost resembles a whippet. This dog is larger than the smaller aforementioned hallmarks and placed in an obvious fashion on the front of all 4 pieces. This pair of candlesticks came with 2 convertible arms which are silver over copper. don’t think they are original to the pair of candlesticks though not certain. They are simply stamped “8” and followed by a heavy crosshatch-type mark. Additionally, they are mismates. At any rate, images attached - I would be so grateful for any light anyone can shed on this. Thank you- Bill
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T. J. & N. Creswick / Creswick & Company
Thomas, James, and Nathaniel Creswick.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/254864201940
Sheffield, q - 1836.
Looking at the first photo I’m pretty sure you’re looking at Old Sheffield Plate. You can see the copper sandwiched in eternity sheets of silver. The ‘hallmarks’ I’m pretty sure are also not assay marks but are set out to deceive … because of this, legislation was passed to stop the makers from using marks that too closely resemble assay marks.
Old Sheffield plate is in itself very collectible and without much wear, can be quite valuable. It’s the precursor to electronic plate and was produced for a relatively short period of time from about 1740 till electro plate started to be introduced by Elkingtons circa 1840. It is literally sheet copper between two silver sheets… rolled together. The tell tale is that copper showing … electro plating would have deposited silver evenly all over edges. Also the silver has a softer warmer look to it quite unlike the hard coldness of electro plate.
I may be wrong but that’s my thoughts on those photos. Can’t really comment on the rest but they are beautiful candlesticks. I’ll see if I can find the maker in one of my books.