Silver Spoon Antiques

 Up for auction a number of years ago was a group of memorabilia related to King Henri I of Haiti.   On March 28, 1811, a former slave and now revolutionary leader, Henri Christophe, had declared himself King Henri I of the Kingdom of Haiti. He established a monarchy and attempted to modernise the country through various reforms, including building infrastructure, promoting education, and encouraging agricultural development. Christophe is also known for constructing the Citadelle Laferrière, a massive fortress that remains a symbol of Haitian resilience and ingenuity. In this lot was a spoon that was later resold through another auction house. It is crested with Henri's crest and has an unknown maker's mark struck three times ( Crowned LS or IS ) on the back of the spoon. This maker is probably an unidentified Haitian silversmith. There is still much research and work to be done on the silver and goldsmiths of the Caribbean Islands, as well as other colonial decorative arts in

 As mentioned in a previous post, it is suggested that after Greece received its independence Greek silversmiths began marking their silver with just a maker's mark. Although a national hallmarking system was discussed, it was never implemented. This post is just a short list of some of the names seen on silver objects.  K.GEORGIADES - ' Κ.ΓΕΩΡΓΙΑΔHΣ '     Seen on a pair of salvers, a large salver and flatware M.SOTIERIOU - ' Μ.ΣΩΤΗΕΡΙΟΥ '     Seen on a beaker THERAPON - ' ΦΕΡΑΠΩΝ '     Seen on flatware

 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