Identifying marks or hallmarks of German companies or goldsmiths and silversmiths is not easy. The Gesellschaft für Goldschmiedekunst e.V. offers a new service: the identification of marks that prove the maker or the artist. This can be a single letter, a mark or lettering on silverware such as cutlery, vases or jugs. A database with more than 6400 trademark images for more than 4800 German companies, artists, wholesalers and retailers serves as a basis. The service includes the comparison of the submitted photo of a brand. In the case of an assignment to a manufacturer or artist, all further information available in the relevant encyclopaedia entry is provided.
The collection of German stamps from the period from 1880 to 1950, which was compiled by Dr. Reinhard W. Sänger (1947-2017), art and cultural scientist, former head of the scientific department at the Badisches Landesmuseum Karlsruhe, with the support of Heidrun Jecht, M.A., from 1986, as well as some later additions, closes a large gap in the documentation of German silver craftsmanship. The digital encyclopaedia is managed by the Gesellschaft für Goldschmiedekunst e.V. and is constantly updated. In recent years, graphic designer Lukas Friedrich, Frankfurt, has revised the original database, including the graphic editing of the illustrations and additions. The project was financed by the Gesellschaft für Goldschmiedekunst with the support of Dr. Monika Sänger and another sponsor.
The identification of one object costs €20, three identifications cost €55 and €100 is charged for six identifications. Museums, institutions, scientists and students are granted a 50% discount. It is not possible to identify or classify objects based on their shape, and no valuations are offered.
Detailed instructions for requesting identifications and further information on the Lexikon deutscher Silbermarken can be found online at: https://silbermarkenlexikon.de/.
