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Expert: Martin G Roberts - 10/27/2007


Question

frieling zinn candlest
Hello Mr. Roberts,
We have a set of pewter candlesticks which have embossed designs on front and back. In the holder is the marking, "Frieling Zinn Germany." Is Frieling Zinn a person, company or partnership? We're trying to get some idea of their history and dating but we're not getting too far.
Can you help, please?
Thanks,
Jim Fry
motofix@tampabay.rr.com


Answer
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Unusual candlesticks, in the Art Nouveau style (yuk, I hate the stuff myself, but many admire it).

Zinn is German for tin, which, as in many European languages, is also used for pewter (pewter is principally composed of tin).

Since the mark says "Germany", they were obviously made for export.

Other pieces by this firm are souvenir type objects from about 1900-1930, and that would fit with the style of these candlesticks. However, some Freiling pieces have 95% marks (meaning the pewter is 95% tin), which suggests Freiling continued into the mid 20th Century.

By the by, a Google search for "Freiling Zinn" threw up plenty of eBay listings for Freiling pewter.

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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