Antique Irish Silver hallmarks – James Weldon & Joseph Walker

This posting is about two early Irish silversmiths, James Weldon and Joseph Walker of Dublin. Although Weldon shares our family name, we have no evidence that he was a relative! James Weldon worked in the 17th century, until his death in 1704. His mark is a JW in italics, and is sometimes mistaken for that of Joseph Walker, who worked at the same time. However the two silversmiths had slightly different marks.

As Weldon’s work is rare, there are not many examples. The one below is from a spoon, made in 1703. It is a JW in script, with the curve of the J looping around to form one of the bars of the W.

James Weldon Silversmith maker's mark

Joseph Walker was a silversmith working at about the same time as Weldon. He was a freeman from 1690-1722, and served a period as master warden of the Company of Goldsmiths of Dublin. He was also elected to Dublin City Council in 1714. His mark was also a JW in script. but the two letters are formed separately, as seen below.

Joseph Walker maker's mark