I purchased these two items and some other things today and I'm having trouble with the identity of one of them. The cat is actually a salt shaker from the mid 1900's I think (no problem with this item just thought I would share). The other shaker was missing but I bought it anyways because I thought it was cool.
The other item is what I think is a Persian or Middle Eastern possibly solid silver tray (not sure of purity, 800, maybe 900, or?). It is beautifully engraved in detail. The tray measures about 12 1/2 Inches in width and weighs about 1 pound 7 ounces (644 grams). There are some hallmarks on the back edge of the tray which I am trying to identify.
The first hallmark looks like an "IV" or something "V", the second looks like a person / figure or some writing, and the third is partial of an animal? In the last image the mark looks like a bird head bust or a strange looking "7", I'm not sure.
Does anyone know where this silver tray came from, who made it, when it was made and what the hallmarks might say or mean?
Thanks!
Kevin