JohanH Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 Hello! I have a Swedish order of the North Star from what I believe is middle to late 1800s. The design of the crown is not very Swedish in appearance. And on the ring is a hallmark depicting an owl. I believe the owl-mark is a french hallmark for gold? Is there any way to determine the age of my piece from the hallmark? I have tried google it but didn't find any good answer. Thanks in advance! //Johan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanX Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 (edited) This hallmark has been used since 1893 for imported jewelry in finished condition from a countries whose standards do not comply to french customs fineness standards and/or for imported jewelry of unknown origin. Edited August 28, 2021 by JapanX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohanH Posted August 28, 2021 Author Share Posted August 28, 2021 Thanks for your reply! So the only thing we can say for sure is that the piece was imported in to France sometime after 1893? Have I understood it correctly? The order itself may have been manufactured several years before it being imported to France? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanX Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 58 minutes ago, JohanH said: So the only thing we can say for sure is that the piece was imported in to France sometime after 1893? Have I understood it correctly? Exactly. 59 minutes ago, JohanH said: The order itself may have been manufactured several years before it being imported to France? Several years and even decades. Same mark on the ring of the Prussian Order of the Red Eagle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohanH Posted August 28, 2021 Author Share Posted August 28, 2021 Thank you JapanX! You are an infinite source of knowledge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graf Posted August 29, 2021 Share Posted August 29, 2021 Hi JohanH Can you post photo of the crown It might give more hints Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohanH Posted August 29, 2021 Author Share Posted August 29, 2021 Here are a photo of the entire piece and a close up on the crown. It size-wise like a knight cross but it's hanging from a neck ribbon which appears to be old and the hook and clasp on the ribbon is also made from what appears to be gold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graf Posted August 29, 2021 Share Posted August 29, 2021 Hi JohanH This type of crown, was typical for some French made foreign Orders from the early 1900s till the end of WW1 or shortly after. It looks like your Order was made after the import "Owl " mark for Gold was introduced in June 1893 Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohanH Posted August 30, 2021 Author Share Posted August 30, 2021 Thanks Graf! Was french made pieces stamped with the owl or only pieces that were imported in to France (after 1893)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanX Posted August 30, 2021 Share Posted August 30, 2021 All french made items in gold were marked with eagle head. If this piece was originally ordered and made in France without any marks then (I guess) it could be "exported" by its owner abroad and later reimportated back to France where it was marked with Owl as a foreign (of unknown origin) item. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanX Posted August 30, 2021 Share Posted August 30, 2021 Interestingly back in 2013 Morton&Eden sold this piece (Peter Maren Collection) with the following desciption Sweden, Order of the Sword, Knight’s breast badge, in gold and enamels, French-made, first half 19th Century, width 36mm, with a later (post-1893) French ‘owl’ mark on suspension ring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohanH Posted August 30, 2021 Author Share Posted August 30, 2021 Interesting. That one is clearly an early version made long before 1893. Emedals have this for sale. Also an very early order and with the owl-mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanX Posted August 30, 2021 Share Posted August 30, 2021 Owl with 75 on the chest = Paris Assay Office. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graf Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 Hi JapanX, Thank you for the nice information Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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