Silver Spoon Antiques

 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 mo dern 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! 

 I haven't seen any research or pieces of silver made in the Danish possessions in India. This is an interesting example for someone looking for a project!  (Sold by Dore and Rees 2023) A LARGE TUREEN ON STAND, DANISH COLONIAL, POSSIBLY TRANQUEBAR, C.1820. A very large circular lidded tureen on a plate shaped stand, with lion mask ring handles. The ball finial surrounded by fluted chasing. The mark appears to refer to the standard of the alloy 14 Lod 8 Gr. (90.25%), along with a maker's mark FK. Most likely made by a Danish silversmith working in one of the Danish colonial possessions in India, the largest being Tranquebar where a Danish assay office and mint was located.  32.5 cm. high 3668 g. (inc. stand)