MAKERS & RETAILERS

Silver Hallmarks

Hallmarking in England dates back to 1300, when a statute of Edward I required gold and silver to meet prescribed standards of purity and to be tested and marked accordingly. Introduced as a form of consumer protection, hallmarking helped protect buyers against fraud while also safeguarding reputable craftsmen and traders from unfair competition. 

Closer front interior view of an antique dressing case in coromandel with Betjemann Patent mechanism, by Jenner & Knewstub, with the silver-mounted bottles and jars, vanity tools, and ivory hand mirrors and brushes on display.
Antique Dressing Case in Coromandel with Betjemann Patent Mechanism, by Jenner & Knewstub. VIEW THIS BOX →

English antique silver is generally identified by a combination of marks. These include the maker’s mark, the assay office or town mark, a standard mark indicating the purity of the silver, and a date letter identifying the year in which the piece was assayed. For sterling silver, the traditional standard mark is commonly the lion passant. Between 1784 and 1890, an additional sovereign’s head, known as the duty mark, was applied to indicate that the required tax had been paid. The mark was discontinued when the duty on silver was abolished in 1890.

See our Index of Silversmiths

George Betjemann and Sons Silver Hallmark. The ‘GB’ refers to George Betjemann, the ‘GWB’ refers to George William Betjemann, and the ‘JB’ refers to John Betjemann. Looking at the date letter ‘I’ tells us that this silver dressing case jar lid dates to 1884.
George Betjemann and Sons Silver Hallmark. The ‘GB’ refers to George Betjemann, the ‘GWB’ refers to George William Betjemann, and the ‘JB’ refers to John Betjemann. Looking at the date letter ‘I’ tells us that this silver dressing case jar lid dates to 1884.

EXPLORE FURTHER