I have purchased a metal ship wall hanging and wanted to know it's value and[img size=150][/img] what type of metal it is made of. Does anyone know what marks to look for to identify the metal?

I found this in a storage auction I won. I think it is beautiful! My question is - is it solid silver or silver plated?
I believe by the R inside a square that it's probally plated, but the 970 next to it makes it appear to be 970/1000 & if that's true, then this is before .925 and hopefully before an R inside a square means plated, since I've heard it's a fairly new way of identifying silver items.
I could also use some help on the other Hallmarks & PLEASE some help if someone recognizes the artist's name; I've tried Googling it in all different ways with no luck.
Finally, as to it's age - can I use the clothes (knickers) as a way of aging it?
Thank you all for any help!
Images can be seen on my photobucket here (after leather satchel): http://s621.photobucket.com/albums/tt291/JourneyMagazine/eBay%203/

Here are some individual links that I hope will help you, help me: http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt291/JourneyMagazine/eBay%203/fiddlerboy3.jpg

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt291/JourneyMagazine/eBay%203/fiddlerboy2c.jpg


http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt291/JourneyMagazine/eBay%203/fiddlerboy5a-1.jpg


http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt291/JourneyMagazine/eBay%203/fiddlerboy2.jpg



http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt291/JourneyMagazine/eBay%203/fiddlerboy2b.jpg




ARTIST'S SIGNATURE: http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt291/JourneyMagazine/eBay%203/silverfiddlerboy6.jpg





Thanks again & Happy Holidays!

I need help, I've been trying to identify the marks on this late Victorian silverplate pickle or sauce container. My husband thinks it's for tobacco.

Has anyone seen this before???

How he should come to her: http://tiny.cc/gf0rd

I have 2 brass bookends that are just the head and neck, they are 11x6 ,gazelles I think ,on the bottom is a sticker that says Republic of Korea ,Rosenthal-Netter Inc.N.B.R.11-743.Would appreciate any info or valueabout these