Vicker's White Metal/Britannia was coming in during this period but generally not cast in such detail. It was not hallmarked at first.
There was somewhat similarly a period in France 1789-1797 when marking plate was not regulated.
There are some simple tests like ice melting and bleach but a touchstone and acids are how a jeweler would start to grade silver. I had a rose gold chain I was selling I took a shop and the final definitive was still going below the surface.
I have a sword dish that shows casting and has gold filling (fused/fired) and an eagle pommel that is similarly fired gilt and both I suspect are Brittania.
Cheers
GC
|