'G.PALMA' - An Italian silversmith working in Smyrna in the nineteenth century (in progress)

A recent post in a specialist group introduced me to a mark for an unknown silversmith. The stamp on the silver fork was 'G.PALMA' over 'SMIRNE'. Smirne is an alternative for Smyrna. The city of Smyrna has a long history of thousands of year and is modern day İzmir (since about 1930).

Palma is a surname of Italian origins (indeed Smirne is the Italian version of Smyrna). There was a large population of Italians in Smyrna in the nineteenth century.

A number of pieces by G.Palma have been found, including larger items such as vases and small salvers. There is also a few variations of his mark, some including 'SMIRNE', some not. Three versions are pictured below.

The style of his silver appears to be catering to the Italian market rather than Ottoman.

At this stage there doesn't appear to be more information about G.Palma...another research project for someone!

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