I have two sterling silver vintage belt buckles which I believe to be from the early 19th century. They are both marked. One with the initial CW STERLING with the number 601 underneath. This buckle is heavily engraved with fronds and flowers. It is a very unusual shape. The second silver buckle is oval and has two tongues. The mark is a flower with a P in the centre and what looks like an N on the left side of the flower and another initial on the right side which I can’t quite make out. I wish to reproduce these buckles and being a person of integrity I am concerned about copyright etc.

Like you I love the detail and beauty from by gone eras so I am coming from a place of respect not merely financial.

Where can I find out about copyright and/or is there a council on reproductions.
I know it sounds like a cheap word but I want to make a quality item that showcases the original artists work. Any advice you give will be well received and appreciated.

Many thanks,
Sharron

It depicts cranes and ‘bushes’ all in different-coloured gold: pink, yellow, grey, black. I had no idea gold came in these colours - I was given this info from a jeweller. He put me onto an antiques ’specialist’ he thought may be able to appraise the brooch for me, however she didn’t know its history and suggested it may have been an ‘award’ of sorts which was perhaps later inserted into a Georgian mourning brooch surround. Given that the brooch depicts cranes, it has been suggested the brooch could be Japanese. At one stage, another person suggested damascening, but that has been knocked on the head. The ‘picture’ in gold that has been etched into the backing is very intricate. The backing is ‘black’ until you rub it - then it rubs up to gold, but could be copper. My relative’s initials appear on the back of it, however one of the initials doesn’t fit. She only had three names and there are four initials. I have asked my father (it was either his grandmother’s or his great-grandmother’s) however he has no information to help. The brooch has been dated as 18th century by a second jeweller and the antique specialist.

I would love to know the history of this brooch. So far I have parted with about $100 for conflicting information, so I’m very confused. I’m hoping you may be able to assist me, as my relatives are English and I’m guessing the brooch may have origins there (but really, who knows!). My great (or great great) grandfather was an explorer from England, surname Richardson. That’s one of the initials on the brooch. I’m obviously not scoring top marks in genealogy!

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in anticipation,

Anna

It is 3 1/2 karats of diamonds, 35 total. The number stamped on the inside are 433 and 200. I have been told the metal is platinum, and also I’ve been told it is white gold. Our ancestors were clockmakers and worked in the castle towers, so it would be fitting that someone could also produce a beautiful ring.

My reasoning is I would like to know if there is a demand for such a thing. My son has just been diagnosed as Mentally Retarded and Autistic and we could really use a little money to get some help for him.