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Expert: Martin G Roberts - 11/7/2007


Question

Angel Anchor Touch/Qua
First thanks for considering this question.

I have two 12" pewter plates I'm trying to get a bit of information on.  On the back of each plate are three touch marks, which seems a bit odd in itself.  It appears as though the plates were stamped with the touchmarks first and the shaping work secondly.  Further, the apex of each touchmarks oval defines a centered triangle.  To be a little more clear; draw an equilateral triangle and then put a circle inside each corner, then put a dot on the edge of each circle that corresponds with the corner of each triangle. There is no real triangle of course.

In other words the top of each touchmark has been rotated 45 degree.  So, it appears this was done to make some attempt to preserve different portions of the touchmark as they were smudge in the original forming.  Pretty crude, but there it is.

From what little info I've been able to find  and based on the quality mark of "Prob Zin" it's either Austrian, German, Hungarian or Swiss with a 1/10 ratio of Lead to Tin and that these plates are at least pre 1941.  There are no other markings.

The touchmak:  Ovoid, central winged angel figure with PROB ZIN  above the angel's head.  Her left arm is bent.  Her left hand is resting on an upright cross-anchor with a twist of rope. Her right arm is straigh and point down at about 30 degrees.  Her right does not appear clearly but seems to be merely pointing to 5-6 petal flowers on stalks with long leaves from plant base.  The same type of plant is also depicted to her right robe bottom.  Centered at the bottom is "1750

One plate depicts three men in a crude tavern setting drinking and talking.  The other plate depicts four men sitting in a similair setting but on benches and barrels and smoking pipes.

I hope I've left a couple of clues that are useful. I'm looking for the usual; Maker/Origin, Age, and value.  I can publish more photos on my web site . . . Just holler at me directly.  

Thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide.

Answer
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Well, Bob, your research is excellent. As Continental European pewter is not my specialist field, I have to say I can add little to what you have discovered. The only substantive comment I have relates to date: the type of decoration you describe is usually late 19th or early 20th Century. Whether the plates are of this date, or older plates later decorated, I cannot say for sure. However, reproductions of European pewter with touchmarks containing dates are quite common, so the date in the touch is not a clincher either way. The general style and device of the mark are common to many European makers, and using three strikes of the same mark is not uncommon.

Not much help, but at least I can confirm you are on the right track. Value will not be very great, so don't give up the day job!

Martin
www.antique-metalware.co.uk

Martin G Roberts

Expertise

Pewter of the 19th Century and earlier from the British Isles and Ireland. I can comment on origin, date, rarity, and value. I cannot give detailed information on 'art' metalware, Art Deco, Art Nouveau or Arts & Crafts metalware. See my website for more information: www.antique-metalware.co.uk.

Experience

A collector for twelve years and a dealer for seven.

Publications
Journal of the Pewter Society
Pewter Society Newsletter
Bulletin of the Pewter Collectors' Club of America

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