Topic: Gray cut biscuit jar

[uphoosier]

I find it so hard to research an item when country of origin is unknown.  Can any speculate regarding age and origin of this biscuit jar?  It is 5 1/2" tall without the lid (silverplate).  There are impressed mold seams inside, but they cannot be detected outside.  Is there any significance to the cut design?  The items to either side of the center design are fruits.  Thanks for looking.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-9/385128/P1030647.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-9/385128/P1030649.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-9/385128/P1030651.JPG

[Frank]

Metalwork looks 1920s(ish) and the design looks to be transfer etched rather than cut. No idea on where from though.

[uphoosier]

Thanks, Frank.  Upon closer inspection you are indeed correct about etched.  I was thinking 20-30 years earlier based on the hardware. 

[krsilber]

Could you post a close-up or two of the engraved bits, especially the fruit?  Looks cut to me, judging by the shading, and the shapes of leaves.  Stevens and Williams often used motifs somewhat similar to that central one, but I don't know if that's significant.  Odd shape to have so prominent within the other more mundane parts of the design.  I wonder if it could be a trademark of a brand of biscuits or something.

[uphoosier]

Kristi, below are pictures of the fruit close up.  This is looking inside out.  It looks the same from the outside in, that is the lines going across the cornucopia stop and start at the edges of the leaves. and really appear to be etched.  That center design is what I was hoping someone would recognize, as it is distinctive.  Thanks for taking a look. 
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-9/385128/P1030685.JPG

[krsilber]

I think most of it is definitely engraved.  Could be etched parts, too, but I'd say it's likely all engraved.  Very nice piece!  I don't know if it would help, but you could cruise this site looking for a similar style of metalwork, at least for dating purposes (and gaze at all the fabulous engraving while you're at it!):
http://www.karaffensammler.at/gallery/main.php?g2_page=1
I just happened to be looking at it now, which is why it occured to me.

[Anne]

Uphoosier, your images have gone. Can they be reinstated please, preferably on the board itself for reference? Many thanks.

[uphoosier]

So sorry, Anne, but I cannot find an image of this jar and no longer have it.  I will be sure to post only images from the gallery in the future.
Ken