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Author Topic: Problems identifying a Silver Chalice marked "V.A.S.I. 1895"  (Read 1019 times)

Offline sassofalco

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Problems identifying a Silver Chalice marked "V.A.S.I. 1895"
« on: Friday 27 February 15 02:03 GMT (UK) »
This is a silver chalice with just the letters and date inscription of "V.A.S.I. 1895" engraved upon it. I am having a hard time trying to identify the origins and / or circumstances for the possession of a silver chalice. My Grandfather (d1954), a doctor, previously owned the item, and on his death it was passed on to his daughter, my Aunt. He was quite a successful athlete at around that time (1890s) and also very handy in shooting competitions. I must apologise for the somewhat inferior quality of the photos, and the fact that no hallmarks have been provided, and I suspect that a base of some sort is also missing. Grandfather attended Cantab for his MA and then continued with his Medical training at St Thomas's Hospital in London, where he qualified for his degree in general and surgery. I am at a complete loss in trying to identify this item.

Offline Billyblue

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Re: Problems identifying a Silver Chalice marked "V.A.S.I. 1895"
« Reply #1 on: Friday 27 February 15 07:05 GMT (UK) »
It may be a goblet, not a chalice.

V.A.S.I. stands for Visual Approach Slope Indicator which I'm sure is not appropriate in this case.

As he was a doctor who qualified in surgery, could the S.I. stand for Surgical Institute?  A for Academy? America?

Did he have his FRCS from London?  If he did, maybe the Royal College of Surgeons would have a clue about this?

Dawn M
Denys (France); Rossier/Rousseau (Switzerland); Montgomery (Antrim, IRL & North Sydney NSW);  Finn (Co.Carlow, IRL & NSW); Wilson (Leicestershire & NSW); Blue (Sydney NSW); Fisher & Barrago & Harrington(all Tipperary, IRL)

Offline Skoosh

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Re: Problems identifying a Silver Chalice marked "V.A.S.I. 1895"
« Reply #2 on: Friday 27 February 15 10:09 GMT (UK) »
Maybe Latin S.I, Society of Jesus?  V.A might just be the initials of the Jesuit owner.

Skoosh.

Offline ShaunJ

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Re: Problems identifying a Silver Chalice marked "V.A.S.I. 1895"
« Reply #3 on: Friday 27 February 15 10:13 GMT (UK) »
Maybe a Volunteer Association shooting competition trophy. Those competitions were often covered in local newspapers. What was his name?
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Offline Bookbox

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Re: Problems identifying a Silver Chalice marked "V.A.S.I. 1895"
« Reply #4 on: Friday 27 February 15 11:08 GMT (UK) »
It may be worth pointing out that the S is much more elaborate than the other letters, perhaps with a fish tail? Swimming?

Offline spices

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Re: Problems identifying a Silver Chalice marked "V.A.S.I. 1895"
« Reply #5 on: Friday 27 February 15 11:09 GMT (UK) »
No idea just. Just shooting it back up the ladder  :) ;)
ARTHUR -Yorkshire - my brick wall
HINCHCLIFFE/HINCLIFE -Yorkshire -2nd brick wall
HAWES -Cornwall
SIMPSON -Yorkshire Kildwick.
VINEN - Wiltshire -convict
SALT - Hungerford
BURROWS - Edinburgh -convict.
Husbands side
BAXTER -Scotland -Fife
WATSON - Scotland Dunino
SERVICE - Paisley Renfrewshire
LESEBERG - Salzgitter Germany
BRUNKE - Salzgitter Germany

Offline arthurk

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Re: Problems identifying a Silver Chalice marked "V.A.S.I. 1895"
« Reply #6 on: Friday 27 February 15 11:49 GMT (UK) »
Did grandfather come from or emigrate to Australia, and if so, could the V be for Victoria? My reasons for this suggestion:

1. sassofalco (OP) is in Australia
2. I can't imagine any piece of silverware from a reputable UK source at that date not having a hallmark

I take it that that is what is meant by "the fact that no hallmarks have been provided". If there is a hallmark it would be of immense help to know what it is. If there isn't and it just says "Sterling Silver" or similar then it could be Australian - see http://925-1000.com/foreign_marks.html

Also, while some silver was shipped over from the UK, this page http://www.silvercollection.it/AUSTRALIASILVERSMITHSA.html suggests that presentation trophies would be more likely to be locally produced.

Arthur
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