British Sterling Silver Hollowware Piece with Pattern Numbers
Hollowware · British silversmith marked with a standard sponsor's mark and British hallmarks.
Pattern: Standard commercial hollowware line.
Type
Hollowware
Maker
British silversmith marked with a standard sponsor's mark and British hallmarks.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity), as indicated by standard British silver hallmarks.
Dimensions
Dimensions not estimable from the macro hallmark photo; standard hollowware sizing applies.
Description
A close-up view of a British sterling silver hallmark stamped directly onto the brushed interior or underside of a hollowware piece, accompanied by the design or batch number 3488.
Key Features
Crisp punch hallmarks, standard British silver purity guarantees, and a stamped four-digit model or inventory number.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity), as indicated by standard British silver hallmarks.
Finish & Decoration
Polished silver surface with directional micro-scratches from historical cleaning.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Clear British hallmarks including a maker's sponsor mark, a purity mark (such as the lion passant for .925 sterling), an assay office mark, a date letter, and a stamped pattern or registration number '3488'.
Construction Details
Machine and hand-finished construction common to British silver manufacturing, featuring stamped hallmarks and an inventory or pattern number.
Functional Features
Standard hollowware functional construction with reinforced walls.
Handle & Grip Details
Not applicable to this hallmark detail view.
Craftsmanship Details
Standard high-quality British manufacturing exhibiting precise hallmark strikes and clear numerical stamping.
Authentication Indicators
Deeply and cleanly struck punch marks with proper incuse borders, characteristic of genuine British assay office stamping.
Origin & Manufacturing
United Kingdom (London, Birmingham, Sheffield, or Chester depending on the specific assay office mark).
Era & Period
Likely Victorian, Edwardian, or early 20th Century based on the standard punch hallmarks and typography of the style number.
Age Estimate
Circa late 19th to early 20th century, determinable by the exact date letter in the hallmark sequence.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the strict regulatory framework of the British Assay offices, which have guaranteed precious metal purity for centuries.
Condition Notes
Surface shows standard microscopic hairling and polishing marks consistent with age and gentle historical care.
Value Estimate
Dependent on the specific form and weight of the parent hollowware piece, generally ranging from $100 to $500 USD for smaller items.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a professional silver cream and a soft microfiber cloth; store in an anti-tarnish bag.
Similar Pieces
Various British sterling hollowware items such as sugar bowls, creamers, and small trophy cups from the Victorian and Edwardian eras.
Interesting Facts
The inclusion of a numerical stamp beneath the hallmarks typically denotes either a pattern number, a design registration number, or an in-house inventory/weight code used by the manufacturer.