P. Hertz (Peter Hertz)

P. Hertz: goldsmith and firm

Peter Hertz (1811 to 1885) established his Copenhagen goldsmithing business in 1834 and took over Sivertsen’s shop in 1841. His sons Sally and Jacob joined the firm in 1878, having established the S. & J. Hertz silver factory in 1875. Distinguish the individual, jewellery business and factory.

Identifying the maker

An object dated 1896 cannot have been personally made by the founder, who died in 1885. Where the marks support it, the maker designation should identify the firm. Do not confuse Peter Hertz with other people or other Hertz businesses.

Maker and assay marks

Examine the complete Danish hallmark group. A three-tower mark and an assayer’s initials do not by themselves identify the manufacturer. Simon Groth was Copenhagen assay master from 1863 to 1904. The historical three-tower mark guaranteed a minimum of 826/1000; it does not alone establish exact 830 fineness.

Uncertain attributions

A drinking horn at OBA with an 1896 assay date is provisionally attributed to the firm. Its maker’s mark is not conclusively identified. This article therefore does not authenticate the attribution of that particular horn. Photograph its marks, form, engraving and alterations, and compare documented mark variants before removing any qualification.

Sources

Georg Nygaard, Dansk Biografisk Leksikon: Peter Hertz; Silvercollection: Danish assay marks. The object example is based on OBA’s own photographs.