I have been researching the markings on our notary ink tray. My question is who might the maker be on the left. The symbols appear to be an indentation of a ship haul with OT crecent moon with stars above . There is a letter marking on the right tip of 925, that I believe is Madrid. And to the far right MA1 which I believe could be Madrid Premera Ley. Thank you.
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“La plata de primera ley 925 es una aleación que contiene un 92,5% de plata pura y un 7,5% de otros metales (normalmente cobre).”
925 sterling silver is an alloy containing 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals (usually copper).
Could you take some photos of the item from different perspectives?
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Per your request, here are additional images.
The inside of the ink wells are gilded in gold.
The maker on the left side is what we are having trouble identifying.
Thank you for your assistance.
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Thank you so much for taking the time to look at my photographs and for providing the Max Albert hallmark images. They have been extremely helpful in continuing my research.
May I ask where you found the reference information and hallmark images identifying the mark as Max Albert of Hanau, active 1875–1920? I would love to add the source to the documentation I am compiling for the piece.
I would also greatly appreciate your thoughts on the additional mark to the left of the 925 and Max Albert mark. I have attached another close-up of it.
I have been trying to determine whether it is another Hanau pseudo-hallmark, an assay/control mark, or something associated with the maker. To my eye, the lower portion almost resembles a small boat or vessel beneath the upper symbols, but I don’t want to influence the interpretation.
I have also contacted a Spanish silversmithing workshop for their opinion because the piece was originally purchased through a Spanish auction house and was cataloged with comparisons to historic Spanish silver, but I have not yet received their response.
Thank you again for sharing your knowledge. Your identification has given us an important new direction for the research.
Rebecca Garza Walker
ModVintEdge LLC 
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Thank you. I gently cleaned the marked areas as requested. I photographed the mark on each of the four removable inkwells individually and also photographed all four together for comparison. I hope these are clearer and helpful.
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“The “m1 ma” (or M1 - MA) hallmark is a set of legally required marks or stamps engraved on sterling silver objects in Spain to certify their authenticity and origin.”
AI:
The detailed meaning of these marks is as follows: Fineness Mark (Number): Indicates the purity of the metal. Generally, on Spanish silver, you will see the number 925 (Sterling Silver/First Standard) or 800 (Second Standard Silver). MA: This is the mark for the autonomous community or province. In the Spanish hallmarking system, MA corresponds to the province of Málaga. [1] ( Qué significan estos punzones y grabados de mi sortija - Gemología MLLOPIS ) M1: This is the identification code of the official assay office or the registration number of the authorized artisan/manufacturer in that geographic region.
I was wrong. It’s spanish.
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Good morning,
Thank you again for your help. I am beginning to wonder whether we may both be correct — two things can be true at the same time.
I have been researching the Spanish hallmarking regulations, and the rectangular 925 M1 mark appears to indicate 925 silver assayed by Madrid Laboratory No. 1. Madrid’s own consumer guidance actually gives 925M1 as its example for first-grade silver assayed by Madrid Laboratory 1. *
*Comunidad de Madrid ¿Qué tengo que saber antes de comprar una joya?
Spanish regulations also distinguish the guarantee mark from the separate mark identifying the manufacturer or importer, which has made me wonder whether this could be a foreign-made piece that was subsequently assayed in Madrid.*
*Comunidad de Madrid ¿Qué tengo que saber antes de comprar una joya?
The question I am now trying to solve is the left pictorial mark. To my eye it resembles some type of ship, vessel, or shield, but I don’t want to influence the interpretation.
I am now focused on finding a website, book, hallmark reference, or other source that may recognize this left mark, as I am trying to determine whether it could be an original maker/origin mark or perhaps an importer’s mark. If you know of a reference that might help identify it, I would greatly appreciate being pointed in that direction.
Thank you again for your help with this research.
Rebecca
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