Burnell and Rowe

Description

This is a charming Portuguese 833 Silver Pin Dish from the early 20th century. The dish is made in the city of Porto in Northern Portugal and dates to around the 1910s / 1920s.

Portugal revised its hallmarking system in 1887 with Lisbon and Porto as the principal assay offices and smaller offices in Braga and Gondomar. This set of marks remained in use until 1937, when a small revision was made to replace the Grade I & II marks with the digital grades 916 and 833.

The pin dish stands on a small pedestal base and is inscribed "OS MEUS" above a crossed pair of pins, which is Portuguese for "My Pins," below a floral garland. It's a very attractive design and would look lovely on a modern dressing table or to put rings or small jewellery pieces into on a bedside cabinet.

Condition is extremely good with no dings, dents or splits and just the minimal surface wear that is to be expected after around 100 years of use. Please make sure to view all the photographs.

The dish is 8.8cm / 3.5" in diameter and stands 2.3cm / 0.9" high. It weighs 44.4g / 1.57oz of solid silver.

There are two silver marks just above the floral garland, which are quite rubbed but can be deciphered with a magnifying glass. The key one is the eagle's head above the Roman numeral II in a square cartouche, which indicates Portugese 833 grade silver from the city of Porto between 1887 & 1937. The second mark appears to be some form of insect and is almost certainly the makers' mark but we have not been able to identify it.

Shipping in the UK is £6 by Royal Mail 1st Class Signed For Parcel Post.
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