Hello collectors,
Would really appreciate some help in identifying the marks on the reverse of a brooch I inherited from my mother. I am not familiar with any of the marks on the brooch except the numbers. I tried to take Clise ups of the three distinct iareas with imprints.
Would anyone know which country this brooch was made and what the marks mean?
Many thanks
Sparkler
Registry Design Number 066651 - 1887. Animal mark, maybe fox… G.D. CC? I’m tired…
Thank you!
I figured out the number was something to do with the registration or the type of item but am clueless to the other two imprint marks. One set of marks does look like a dog or fox! I even tried looking at them by turning the brooch 180 degrees but no luck. Most of my mother’s jewelry was British (mostly Scottish) or Scandinavian but these marks are different than any I’ve seen.
Maybe an occasional silversmith/artisan’s work?
Again, thanks for helping.
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Sparkler, give me some time to solve the mystery. If you can, clean up the signature areas gently. Besides, I hope that the celebrities of this forum will come to the rescue…
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Is the Stone Moss Agate ? 
Alan, I think U r right. A photo showing the front of the brooch would be useful.
I see the initials G. D. and perhaps an infinity sign.
This is not a fox symbol. The punch mark did not fit on the brooch. Most likely it is a letter indicating the year.
I think you are both right about the initials being GD. I took 5 more photos after cleaning the brooch again, including the front of the brooch . The marks are clearer, but I am still trying to figure out what they represent. The stone is not moss agate. My husband thinks it may be bloodstone?
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Bloodstone, indeed. Checked! Wait 4 more info.
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The latest set of pictures show the marks much more clearly and we may be homing in on a partial answer. To me the bottom left picture appears to show a lion passant and the top part of a date letter which I believe to be the Birmingham “n” for 1887. This would tie up really neatly with the design registration number (66651 issued in 1887). And now the maker’s / sponsor’s mark looks like “GD&” with the final bit missing - possibly GD&S, GD&Co. I have checked my references for a likely match but have found nothing. I have also checked Kelly’s Directory of Birmingham for 1890 without success.
I am pretty sure about where? and when? but who? is more difficult. HIstorical Design Registration Number details are held by the National Archives at Kew and can be accessed in person. If anybody fancies a trip to Kew here are the details of where to find the answer: Designs 65740-66898 | The National Archives.
Phil
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Thank you Phil! I did try to check out info about the brooch looking up the registry of designs for 1887 but realized I would need to visit in person to find out. My husband agrees with you about the lion passant mark - he thought the “poodle” symbol was the lion passant for English silver, although slightly worn. Now we have a date 1887 (or later) and it’s English. We are now much further forward than we were a few days ago.
Thank you all 
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