- RARE 18thC GERMAN ENGRAVED SILVER PAGE SEPARATOR: HISTORIC INSCRIPTION 1746
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:57601 | Maker: IW (?) Munich |
| Age: 1746 | Composition: .800 Silver |
| Type: Engraved bar or plaque |
This unusual object is a 7 1/4in (18.4cm) (unmarked but tests .800 or better) silver bar /bookmark, or page turner/page separator with rounded ends bearing an inscription to the front and 18th-century German assay marks to the reverse between engraved rococo floral decorations. The inscription to the front reads "Auf Ehrlichkeit die Danckbarkeit von Johann Carl von Gutermann Rittmeister in Augsburg den 7 8ber 1746", roughly translated as: With gratitude for honesty – from Johann... Carl von Gutermann Rittmeister (Captain or Riding Master – a cavalry officer) 7 October 1746. (A portrait of Gutermann is easily found on the web.) It appears that this object was given as a token of gratitude and was perhaps intended to separate the uncut pages of 18th-century books. The other side bears a town mark for Munich, a zig-zag assay scrape, and a silversmith's maker's punch IW conjoined (with a dot above the I) in a rectangular surround serrated at the top. This rare and historically significant item remains in very good to excellent vintage condition with age-appropriate wear to the engraved decoration and inscription.
- Length: 7 1/4in (18.4cm)
- Weight: 0.87 troy oz (27g)
swan wnnn A19 1019 1149
- Length: 7 1/4in (18.4cm)
- Weight: 0.87 troy oz (27g)
swan wnnn A19 1019 1149
