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Norwegian Silver Hallmarks & Silversmiths of Norway
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Last Updated
7th of May, 2009

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Hallmarks have been used in Norway since the Sixteenth Century. The system included, at various times and in various combinations; city marks, assayer's marks, date letters, date numbers, and maker's marks. The farther a piece was made from the main population centers of Oslo (Christiana), Bergen and Trondheim, the more likely there were to be mark inconsistencies. The bureaucracy in control of silver marking seesawed between the Crown and the Silver Guilds for a few centuries and finally, in 1891, a simplified national system was established that is still in use.

The current system requires only a silver standard mark and maker's mark. The old Norwegian standard of .830 purity silver is still used, but beginning around 1920, .925 purity began replacing it and is now the foremost standard in use. Town names are sometimes included with the required marks and the letters "NM" (Norsk Mønster) are sometimes seen on flatware, they are an indication of patent or copyright.
Below are illustrations of many of the latter 19th and 20th century silver producers of Norway. I will add to it as I find or am sent mark illustrations.

Magnus Aase
Bergen 1876-1953

Andresen & Scheinpflug
Oslo

Øystein Balle
Stavinger

David-Andersen
Oslo

DAVID-ANDERSEN
The company was founded in Christiania (now Oslo), Norway by David Andersen in 1876. Andersen (1843-1901) was a gold and silversmith with a keen sense of quality and the high standards of his workmanship brought early success. By 1888, Andersen was able to expand his workshop into a steam powered plant and a second retail location was opened in Oslo in 1892. David Andersen died in 1901 and his son, Arthur Andersen, took the reins of the firm. Arthur instituted some important changes, he decided to hyphenate the family name to David-Andersen, and as chief designer, he introduced the use of enameling on the company's gold and silver jewelry and holloware. The new line was so successful that enamelled jewelry has become nearly synonymous with the David-Andersen name. The firm has always remained a family business and is now run by members of the fourth generation, Uni and Jon David-Andersen.

The company has kept pace with changing times and artistic trends, they have produced beautiful and finely crafted jewelry and objects in the styles of; Naturalism, Dragestil (Dragonstyle), Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Art Moderne, and Modernism. A few of their early designers include:

Arthur David-Andersen (1875•1970)
Johan Lund (active 1890's)
Gustav Guadernack (1865•1914)
Guttorm Gagnes (1906•1964)
Ivar David-Andersen (1903•1998)
Thorbjørn Lie-Jørgensen (1900•1961)

Elvik & Co. A/S
Oslo

Marius Hammer
Bergen 1847-1927

Kristian M. Hestenes
Bergen

Nils Hansen - Oslo Sølvvareverksted
Ørje 1926 - 1990

Aksel Holmsen
Sandefjord

Ivar Holth
Oslo

A. Holthe A/S
Arendal

Ottar Hval
Oslo

Frank & Regine Juhls
Kautokeino

Brødrene Lohne
Bergen

Thorvald Marthinsen
Tonsberg

Bernard Meldah
Oslo

Einar Modahl
Oslo

Henrik Møller
Trondheim, 1858-?

Brødrene Mylius
Kragerø

Theodor Olsens Eftf
Bergen

Hroar Prydz
Oslo

Albert Scharning
Oslo
There is also a script version of this mark.

N. M. Thune
Oslo

J. Tostrup
Oslo

Visitor Comments
  1. Comment #1 (Posted by Lesley Hansard )
    Hello - I have a set of 12 demitasse enamelled sterling silver spoons made in Norway marked 925 with the initials ECK - they are an illustrious blue with sort of a peacock motif - do you know who could have made them and when. inside the bos it says they were bought from Edward Jewellers and Silversmiths in Glasgow, Scotland - any info would be appreciated
  2. Comment #2 (Posted by alison )
    I have a similar set marked NORWAY and ECK and another mark that I can't make out. Have you any information? Coincidentally, mine also came from a jeweller in Glasgow.
  3. Comment #3 (Posted by Ann Marie Miller )
    Just came across a "berry" spoon, maked D-A60G. Identified as David Anderson, Replacement Limited. Handle has three hearts holding shells. Beautiful piece. The mark is a mystery to me. Trying to date piece. Help.This site is very helpful.
  4. Comment #4 (Posted by john ,murray )
    i just came across two ,measuring cups ,marked ,mandal silver with no hallmarks on and looking on the internet isent helping only tels me theirs a norwegian town called ,mandal were silver was ,mined until 1958 they have a diamond stamped on one side with a crown and GR6 in it and on the base the letters GC and a hand print any infomation would be helpfull regards .john
  5. Comment #5 (Posted by Elizabeth Clary )
    I have a set of silver given to us by my husbands Norwegian Grandmother. It has a shell design on the ends of flatware and a very fine hammered finish on handles. The hallmark appears to be that of Magnus Aase of 830S. My question is, we did not receive matching knives or teaspoons with the set. Lots of large spoons!! and many serving pieces. Are knives available? Are teaspoons? I also have 6demitasse spoons. My husband is in Norway now (Sandnes) and is trying to find these. Any suggestions?
  6. Comment #6 (Posted by Wendy Fowler )
    I have a heavy openwork pendent in silver showing a male and female deer leaping over a bridge. The initials on the reverse with the hallmark appear to be PD. Does anyone know this designer/maker please?
  7. Comment #7 (Posted by carol endres )
    I have a couple of very old silver spoons from Norway, one with engraved initials and date 7-4-03. The markings on the back are: P.J.P. 830s. The other spoon has the date 25-2-85 engraved, and the markings are: P.J.P. 830sDG. Any idea of the maker? (I'm not absolutely certain of the "G", it could be a "6". Any information would be so appreciated!
  8. Comment #8 (Posted by Barbara Werle )
    I have just purchased a large serving spoon with 830 NM on the back. The Hallmark looks like a bird sitting on a rock (?) Research reveals the Hallmark is Brodrene Mylius Kragero What can you tell me about the Hallmark and the names, and date of manufacture?
  9. Comment #9 (Posted by Barbara Werle )
    I just purchased a spoon with mark 830S (Circle with bird on rock?) I have researched and found 830S means 830/1000 parts silver NM
  10. Comment #10 (Posted by BoBT )
    I picked up an 830S Ottar Hval hallmarked "3 spot" silver ashtray. It is hollow with a white plaster-like filling from underneath with a patch of green wool/felt . I truly resembles a miniature dog dish with the cigar/cigarette trays being curved flat trays soldered at 12,4,and 8 o'clock. It is about 5" across . I cannot find any info out about this piece. It seems very plain for being a hallmarked piece. I will check back
  11. Comment #11 (Posted by donna glenn )
    I have a necklace and braclet they are sterling they have a flower pattern the back has a numberJ.B.830 S I would like to know some more and what its worth thank you if posible
  12. Comment #12 (Posted by Rita Kibble )
    I have a beautiful 3 branch candelabra on on oval base and it marked "David-Andersen", underneath it reads "830S". It looks like an early piece. I would like to know more about it and its possible value. Thank you Rita Kibble
  13. Comment #13 (Posted by Sandra Rhea )
    I have a silver candlestick holder with a N M Thune Gull sticker on the bottom and inside the candle hole, it looks like the letters _ustegar_(c or d). Under this it looks like ginn. I can't read all the letters clearly. Does anyone know anything about this? Thanks.
  14. Comment #14 (Posted by elizabeth herbert )
    Could anyone tell me anything about Mylius Brodrene and his work? Thanks very much. Elizabeth, Canada
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