Marking on Silver Metal Hammered Teapots

[lismil_msdezal9d]

Could use some help on identifying these marks on these cool art deco silver hammered teapots.  One is a one cup and the other is a 2-3 cup.  Looks like it is Asian, but not sure what the "AIII" and "N4" mark are on the bottom.  They are silver and you can see the flux and weld marks.  They were very tarnished, but when cleaned up could see that they were silver.  I have taken pictures for you to view. 

[lismil_msdezal9d]

Could the small teapot be a Sweden Dating Code from 1795 "N4"? I posted two pictures.  One from a website that does international silver hallmarks.  The other one is the pot before I cleaned it. 

[argon38]

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@lismil_msdezal9d wrote:

Could the small teapot be a Sweden Dating Code from 1795 "N4"?

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It is a fabulous design, but not 18th century by any stretch of the imagination. In any case, N4 = 1843 on that chart (not that it's from 1843 either).

[maxine*j]

Are the handles Bakelite?  They appear to be.  If they are, that and the designs make me date them to sometime between 1910 and 1950, with the 1920s-30s likely.    They are very nice!

[argon38]

The plastic (bakelite?) parts are evidently original, so they can't possibly pre-date the 20th century. But I personally think they are great.

[argon38]

My turn to cross-post

[maxine*j]

And, you know, my first thought on seeing them was "hammered aluminum," to fit in with the plastic handles and the overall look.  I agree that they're great.

[sonomabarn67]

What is going on with the handles? Did they shrink or are they bad replacements? See how loose they are in the mounts? 1/8" / 1/4" gap between the material and the metal of the teapot. That is the last place you want movement with a pot of boiling hot liquid! Something is up there.

[sonomabarn67]

Also the finials are totally different. Could these be Slavic? I think they are aluminum.

[argon38]

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@sonomabarn67 wrote:

What is going on with the handles? Did they shrink or are they bad replacements? See how loose they are in the mounts? 1/8" / 1/4" gap between the material and the metal of the teapot.

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Interesting point - perhaps they are more secure than they look? The questioner will maybe let us know if the handles are shaky. Also if the teapots are heavy or light to lift.

[lismil_msdezal9d]

Thank you.  I read the chart wrong.

[argon38]

You wouldn't normally expect an aluminium teapot to show that amount of discoloration, but it could be some type of alloy. OP will obviously want to test for silver before trying to sell it.

[lismil_msdezal9d]

Yes they are bakelite.

[lismil_msdezal9d]

They look silver to me, but only because I can see them up close.  I have other hammered aluminum pieces, but I could be wrong.   The bigger one when I purchased them both looked more tarnished like silver before I cleaned it. 

[lismil_msdezal9d]

They look silver to me, but only because I can see them up close.  I have other hammered aluminum pieces, but these look a bit different.  I could be wrong.   The bigger one when I purchased them both looked more tarnished like silver before I cleaned it.