939 - An unusual triangular D. José/D. Maria inkstand Portuguese silver (833/000).

An unusual triangular D. José/D. Maria inkstand Portuguese silver (833/000). Resting on three chased claw-and-ball feet, triangular tray with a cut and raised border with an architectural frieze and roses. Inkwell, pounce pot, sand box and pen holder with engraved garlands, covers with engraved friezes of shells and leaves. Portuguese, last quarter of the 18th century. Submitted for assay, between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, at the Porto assay office by the goldsmith José Pereira Canaveses (1887-1913) and then restruck with the standard hallmark in use at the time (Javali II) and the mark of the goldsmith who submitted the piece. (signs of use) 12 x 23 cm 1,104 g Although in 1887 the "Old Man's Head" hallmark was introduced, intended to mark antique pieces with "artistic or archaeological value", unfortunately the Porto Assay Office rarely used it, maintaining this practice well into the 20th century. Thus, as in the present case, antique pieces of great artistic quality and originally unmarked, when they entered the market as second-hand pieces, were frequently marked with the normal hallmarks then in use.