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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: 360 on June 30, 2012, 12:10:00 AM

Title: Bronze Gaming Dice Cup
Post by: 360 on June 30, 2012, 12:10:00 AM
Hello, I was given an item by a friend, he described it as a "19th Century Bronze Gaming Dice Cup".. about 1" in diameter, 1.5" high. It has two hallmarks on the bottom, both encompassed within an oval: the initials "IS" and a lion. He didn't have anything else to say about it, besides the fact that he picked it up in Europe and found it interesting.

If I were to guess, the "IS" would stand for International Sterling Co.. which would correspond with the lion which I take to mean its an item made up of sterling silver, however it doesn't appear to be so and even then I'm not sure why he would describe it as bronze.

Quite lost on the background of this item, can anyone offer some input? Cheers!
Title: Re: Bronze Gaming Dice Cup
Post by: ghopper1924 on June 30, 2012, 06:20:42 AM
No background for you, but that cup is WAY cool!! 8)
Title: Re: Bronze Gaming Dice Cup
Post by: greenacres on June 30, 2012, 02:17:25 PM
I've been trying to look up the mark. I think it's british. Is the lion in a circle ?
Title: Re: Bronze Gaming Dice Cup
Post by: KC on June 30, 2012, 02:20:52 PM
IS is usually International Silver!  This appears to me (from pic) to be silverplate that has worn off of the base metal!
Title: Re: Bronze Gaming Dice Cup
Post by: mart on June 30, 2012, 02:51:44 PM
Base metal looks like brass not bronze !! Too yellow for bronze !!
Title: Re: Bronze Gaming Dice Cup
Post by: greenacres on June 30, 2012, 07:56:39 PM
mart, I think your right. I didn't look under bronze because to me it's the wrong color too. I went to the encylopedia of silver marks. Then I tried matching the mark.