Thus, the primary purpose of silver hallmarks is to identify the maker of the piece.
Additional hallmarks can provide information about the metal used.
We are fortunate to be able to often use these hallmarks to assist us in identifying a time period during which the item was made. His maestros and silversmiths never included their hallmarks or identifying marks during his lifetime. There were no unmarked pieces that left the Spratling workshop. William Spratling designed and produced silver from 1931 until 1967. Usually such changes occurred when a company increases or decreases its size or changes its structure or format.