Norman Watson | Sterling Silver Napkin Ring | Dick King Mark | Engraved 'D.P.D.' 1959 | Durban, South Africa

Norman Watson | Sterling Silver Napkin Ring | Dick King Mark | Engraved 'D.P.D.' 1959 | Durban, South Africa

A plain Durban silver napkin ring, engraved “D.P.D.” and “1959”, with Norman Watson’s Dick King mark.

This sterling silver napkin ring has a plain band between raised moulded rims at each end. The front is engraved in script with the initials “D.P.D.” and, beneath them, the year “1959”.

It was made by Norman Watson, an engraver and manufacturing jeweller of Fenton Road, Durban. His maker’s mark is a horse and rider, his registered “Dick King” trade mark, named after the rider who in 1842 rode from Port Natal to Grahamstown to fetch help and whose statue stands in Durban. The ring also carries the South African Bureau of Standards marks for silver: “STG” for sterling, a lion’s head within a “U” for the Union of South Africa, and a gothic date letter read as “l” for 1959. These belong to the voluntary hallmarking system introduced in 1948. The engraved year below the initials also reads 1959.

It is in excellent condition, with no dents, splits or repairs.

Key Details

• Maker: Norman Watson, Durban (Dick King maker’s mark)
• Material: sterling silver
• Hallmarks: Dick King rider, “STG”, SABS lion’s head in “U”, date letter read as “l” for 1959
• Engraving: “D.P.D.” and “1959” in script
• Height: 2 cm
• Diameter: 4.5 cm
• Weight: 16 g
• Date: 1959 (from the date letter and engraving)
• Condition: excellent

Collector Appeal

Norman Watson’s Dick King mark gives this plain napkin ring a distinctly South African identity. The engraved initials and date keep a personal detail from its earlier owner, and the SABS marks confirm its origin and period.

Another Norman Watson napkin ring from the shop: “Elizabeth” napkin ring.

A piece of Durban silver, carrying the initials and date of an earlier owner.