Metal Ink Well

[cotteswold]

/Users/timelkington/Pictures/iPhoto Library.photolibrar y/Masters/2015/04/13/20150413-130948/DSCN2718.JPG

Users/timelkington/Pictures/iPhoto Library.photolibrar y/Previews/2015/04/13/20150413-130948/%m%3KgDxQkmGS%YPqZsHWQ/DSCN2719.JPG

/Users/timelkington/Pictures/iPhoto Library.photolibrar y/Masters/2015/04/13/20150413-130948/DSCN2720.JPG

How nice to see a thriving Forum on the subject.

As a newcomer from the UK, may I ask if anyone can suggest what the metal in this Well might be. It is  NOT silver. Sadly!! There is no mark.

And possible age?

All the best, Tim

[frogpatch]

I can't view your pics, even if I paste them in my browser. Sorry

[KC]

Hi Cotteswold and welcome to the forum.

Sorry but none of your pictures are showing up.  I even tried to modify them but you will have to post them from your end.

Would love to see your piece.  Even though many weren't silver, they are still collectible. 

[cotteswold]

Thanks a bundle for your replies - sorry to give you trouble. (They work this end).

How about these??

Tim

[cogar]

Sorry, but those 3 links only opens a Flickr site but no pics.

Your orig links in 1st post are missing the leading …. https://www. … and maybe more.

[cotteswold]

Will I ever learn???

  "Share!!"  So, hopefully,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,



Tim

[KC]

Tim, Just because there isn't a mark doesn't mean it isn't silver!  Many items weren't marked in 1800's and earlier.

It could be pewter.  However, now that I can see a picture, it still looks silver to me.  You can have it tested OR get a testing kit.

By-the-way, a very stunning piece!

[cotteswold]

So kind - kit ordered. Hadn't thought of that.

Tim

PS - this is me + youngest. Confused - I'm given 2 options for a Public Link -



 I can fly jets,but Flikr's a bit advanced!!

[KC]

What is the history on your piece?  How did you happen to come upon it?

THe more I look at it...it looks more "modern" than an 1800's piece.  Beautiful!

[mariok54]

It is an attractive piece, but I have to agree with KC, 'far' more recent than the 18c. What makes me question the age is the way the glass is hed in pace by that bar and nut. If it were European Pewter then it would normally have a touch mark (stamp pretty much like a hallmark). I don't think that it's old enough not to have a silver hallmark, but many silver plated items are not stamped. But I could be wrong, so do the acid test and see what it reveals.

[mart]

Hey MarioK54 !!  Glad to see you here !!  Its been way too long !!

[mariok54]

Hey MarioK54 !!  Glad to see you here !!  Its been way too long !!

Thanks mart,

I thought that if I was going to visit to pick your brains, I might as well contribute something!

But I really should check my typing!

 

[cotteswold]

So SORRY - auto alert didn't show me your comments.

Well - got the kit. And, of course, the first test is the magnet. Which I could have done without the kit!!  

No - not steel. But it does test red for Silver.

History? Wife bought it at a local sale for 25 shillings some 50 years ago.

Next job is Superglue on the glass base which is split in two.


Tim

[mariok54]

Good Morning Tim

25/-  fifty years ago was quite a bit of money.... and someone mentioned earlier that early silver was not always stamped....  but you do find some more recent pieces, 19th C,  without hallmarks ... so it could quite easily be silver (although some of the acid kits can give false readings).  Still a lovely piece, and I collect inkwells (I have an 'Elkington' silver plate one from the 1860s)

Is the pilot in the paper clipping you? Did you receive the Ushakov medal?
Is that you at Number 10?

If so, incredibly impressive!
 

[cotteswold]

SOD IT - only meant the one photo to be unlocked!!

Tim

PS - yes & yes - but No10 was for our Arctic Star & the Russian Embassy for their medal. As to the test, how does one know if it's a true test??