10-30-2023 03:53 PM
I got this really cool piece but I'm not quite sure what it is. My first thought was an egg tray, possibly for soft boiled eggs with salt cellars. I found similar ones for sale here, but the cups are flared, plus there are no glass cellars. These cups aren't flared, so the egg fits, but not securely. The cups are too big for quail eggs. Notice how the items fit on pegs and grooves so they don't move when carried. Any thoughts on what this is?
The hallmark on the bottom looks like HK with a caduceus, but there is only one snake, not two intertwined. I have searched for the hallmark under US and British, but haven't found anything. Point me in the right direction.
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10-30-2023 05:28 PM - edited 10-30-2023 05:30 PM
10-30-2023 05:06 PM
looks like Russian medical logo.Refer to Exodus, the story of Moses making the bronze serpent。
10-30-2023 05:09 PM
also maybe this one,HK is Hong Kong ,china😃
10-30-2023 05:22 PM
It’s a Victorian Egg Service Set or Egg Cruet Set. Google it, you’ll find many.
I don’t know the mark though, sorry.
10-30-2023 05:24 PM
Looks like a silver plated egg cruet to me. Plenty of versions exist without the flare on the cups. Not sure about the glass, but I assume they are salt cellars.
Only other thing coming to mind is a tray of shot goblets?
I'm not an expert so others may come along with better info.
10-30-2023 05:28 PM - edited 10-30-2023 05:30 PM
10-30-2023 06:08 PM - edited 10-30-2023 06:09 PM
@rokkworks wrote:Here ya go - https://www.ebay.com/itm/131829986292
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heimendahl_%26_Keller
BINGO! Excellent find.
I will just note that the seller who referred to the symbol as Caduseus is wrong, though. Caduceus was Hermes' staff, and it had two snakes. The staff of Asclepius had one snake.
Since Asclepius is the god associated with healing, most of the world uses his staff as a medical symbol. Only the U.S. uses the staff of Hermes, who had no association at all with any aspect of healing, as a medical symbol. (Fact: Because the U.S. Army liked the symmetry of the two snakes.)
I know that's pedantic, but I guess that's the mood I'm in. 😄
Staff of Hermes vs staff Asclepius:
10-30-2023 08:02 PM
10-30-2023 08:04 PM
@rokkworks Thanks! I knew the HK wasn't Hong Kong, but I couldn't find the right name.
10-30-2023 09:01 PM
Glad to help!
10-30-2023 10:37 PM
That is really interesting and here in Au we also use the double snake one (not going to even try to type the word) LOL
10-31-2023 10:01 AM - edited 10-31-2023 10:05 AM
Hermes is the protector of thieves and merchants, and a deliverer of the dead to Hades. Given the American system for the delivery of medical care, perhaps Caduceus is the right choice. 😄
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10-31-2023 10:17 AM
@evry1nositswindy wrote:@maxine*j You and I looked at the same site! Thanks.
What is odd is that Asclepius' staff should be one snake on a simple staff. Hermes' staff should be two snakes on a staff topped with wings and/or a helmet. The mark on your piece has one snake on the staff but a helmet and wings atop the staff. So, mixed mythology there, you might say.
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