Norman Watson | Sterling Silver Napkin Ring | Engraved 'Elizabeth', Dated 22·2·53 | Durban, South Africa

Norman Watson | Sterling Silver Napkin Ring | Engraved 'Elizabeth', Dated 22·2·53 | Durban, South Africa

A Durban-made silver napkin ring, engraved “Elizabeth” outside and dated 22·2·53 inside.

This sterling silver napkin ring has a wide central band with a soft satin finish, framed top and bottom by milled zigzag borders. “Elizabeth” is engraved across the front in flowing script, and the date 22·2·53 is engraved inside, marking an occasion in its owner’s life.

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 and a lion’s head within a “U”, for the Union of South Africa. These marks belong to the voluntary hallmarking system introduced in 1948. A year letter is also struck but is too faint to read.

It is in very good condition, with light scratches to the satin panel from use.

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”; year letter too faint to read
• Engraving: “Elizabeth” on the front; “22·2·53” inside
• Decoration: satin-finished central band between milled zigzag borders
• Height: 1.6 cm
• Diameter: 4.3 cm
• Weight: 22 g
• Date: engraved 22·2·53; year of making unconfirmed (mid-20th century)
• Condition: very good; light scratches to the satin panel

Collector Appeal

This napkin ring carries an identifiable Durban maker’s mark alongside the SABS marks for sterling silver. The engraved name and date give it a personal character, and the plain decoration leaves the inscriptions as its main feature.

Another Norman Watson napkin ring from the shop: “D.P.D.” napkin ring, 1959.

A name and a date, preserved in silver.