Stokes Buckles
This first buckle is of Art Noveau styling, dating it from the 1890s until WW1. The backmark, Stokes & Sons Melbourne, dates it from post 1894. It is not silver or silver plated, as it does not show the companies silvermark.
Stokes and Martin were silver electroplating jewellery by 1877 and making silverware as described below by 1880.
The Argus (Melbourne), 15th October 1880 page 29.
According to https://www.australiana.org.au/resources/magazine_issues/30_May_1986_Vol_8_No_2.pdf (pages 38-41) Stokes became known for its quality silverware early in the 20th century. The top mark mark dates up to 1907, the lower from around 1907-1950.
E.P. N.S. stands for electroplated nickle silver.
The marks below date from 1911-1940s
From the mid 1940s, their quality lines had the following mark.
Alternative marks ( possibly dating 1940-50s) are below
They stopped producing silverware in the late 1960s, but were still imported it. Below are two later marks (?1980s), which have the name stokes in raised lettering.
The monogrammed silver-plated buckle below bears the one of the marks from 1911-1940s.
On silver tableware, the brand “Boomerang Plate” was used from c.1916 until replaced with “Georgian Silver Ware” in 1933. A more affordable plated range, the “Crown Windsor” was introduced in late 1938.
Barrier Miner (NSW), 1st September 1939 page 12.
The Age (Melbourne), 6th September 1934 page 31.
A short lived (1951-2) venture to produce silverware in the Victorian country town of Euroa was produced with this mark. if you have any, lucky you! It is very rare!
From a November, 1951 advert.
For all comments and queries, please use the Contact page.