Hand chased napkin ring John Millward Banks Chester 1898 sterling silver NO mono

Description

Offered for sale by Caspar’s Place is
a sterling silver English napkin ring made in 1898 in Chester, England, by John Millward Banks.
This napkin ring has a hand chased design of beautiful flowers.  It is marked with the maker’s mark “J.M.B.”; a shield for made in Chester; the date mark “P” for made in 1898; and a lion for sterling silver.
This particular mark of Banks was registered in Chester in July 1898.
It has been seen elsewhere on other items, including napkin rings, dating from 1898 to 1907.
John Millward Banks’ business as a silversmith was established in Birmingham in 1863, with a showroom in London and a manufacturing facility in Birmingham.
Assay marks were registered by the business in London, Birmingham, Sheffield, and Chester.
Apparently, it was common for silver manufacturers from larger cities to send their items to Chester to be assayed as the process there was less expensive and faster.
Around 1900 the firm’s name became J.M. Banks & Co.
Banks died in 1911, his son Francis M. Banks continuing in the business until around 1926 when the establishment was liquidated.
This napkin ring is NOT monogrammed but has a vacant cartouche suitable for monogramming.  It is in good estate condition, although it does have the patina of old tarnish and fine scratches to be expected with age and use.  The piece’s price reflects its condition.  This napkin ring will make a lovely addition to any silver collection.
The napkin ring weighs approximately 0.34 troy ounces.  It is roughly 1.625” in diameter and 0.75” wide.
At Caspar's Place we pride ourselves on our offerings and represent each item to the best of our ability. Please bear in mind that we do our best to describe and photograph each item, but pre-owned items are often imperfect and show the effects of age and use. Each lot is being sold as is, with any substantial defects described to the best of our ability. Note that the photographs are an integral part of the description.  Items are sold unpolished - polishing is left to the buyer.
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