Gullsmed P. Børke
Gullsmed P. Børke is a goldsmith business in Hamar, Norway. Its history goes back to the shop opened by Even Dæhlie and Lars Windjue in 1857. Peder Ulven Børke took over Dæhlie & Windjue in 1893. The date 1857 therefore refers to the predecessor business, not Peder's takeover.
Several people within one business history
The Børke name belongs to a business history spanning several generations. An object carrying a name should not automatically be attributed to one individual throughout that period. The date of the mark itself and documentation for the particular object require investigation.
Retailer or manufacturer?
A case, receipt or company inscription may document a place of sale without proving that the goods were manufactured there. Record these as retailer or provenance details when that is what the evidence establishes. List manufacturer and designer separately when known.
Examining older work
Photograph all marks together and in close-up, as well as the complete object. Read letters, symbols and fineness separately. This business history does not identify a particular historical responsibility punch. An unclear B or PB mark should therefore not be assigned to Børke on initials alone. Preserve dated sales documents, but distinguish purchase date from manufacture date.
