Silver Spoon Antiques

 The nineteenth century was one of big changes in Greece. We haven't been able to find a reference book on silver made in this period. Much was unmarked, even though the Ottoman Empire had an assay system for silver. There have been a few examples of pieces stamped just with a maker's mark. These probably date to the time of the newly independent Greece (from 1832). National hallmarks seem to have been proposed between 1832 and 1860, but were not put into use. One maker seen is 'K.GEORGIADES' ( Κ.ΓΕΩΡΓΙΑΔHΣ). It has been noted on a large silver tray and a set of forks and spoons. Any info anyone has would be appreciated.  Tray sold a Sothebys, stamped twice with maker's mark Example of maker's mark on set of forks

Corfu is one of the Greek Ionian islands. Although not the largest island geographically, it has been the one with the largest population for centuries. The British began to occupy the Ionian Islands after the defeat of Napoleon and reached Corfu in 1815. The period of English rule was generally a prosperous period for Corfu because the Greek language became official, new roads were built, the water supply system was improved and the first Greek University was founded in 1824. Although Corfu was never under the control of the Ottoman Empire, its inhabitants helped the rest of Greece financially during the Greek Revolution. On the 21st of May, 1864, the Ionian Islands were donated by the British to the new King of Greece, George I, annexed to the modern Greek state and have been an official part of it ever since. There hasn't been a lot of published research on the silver production of that period, but there are various attributed marks. These marks all include a ship with initials,

 We haven't been able to find much information on artist and silversmith Catherine L Charles.  She exhibited a self-portrait (pictured below) at the Royal Scottish Academy Annual Exhibition, 1928. She exhibited from 1928-37 in Edinburgh, Scotland and was quite active until at least 1946. At the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh, she exhibited at least eight pieces and one other was shown at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool. Other examples by her include a winter mill scene and a still life of a vase with roses She was producing sterling silverware in the Arts and Crafts style in Scotland in the 1940s. A number of examples of her work can be found. Her maker's mark is 'CLC'. We have a number of pieces by her currently in stock.  A sterling butter fork by CL Charles Catherine's maker's mark and hallmarks for Edinburgh 1944 PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST, 1928.  (Courtesy Mellors and Kirks Auction via Invaluable)