Magnus Aase Silver

Q: This small silver horn was purchased at an antiques shop a few months ago as a gift for a wedding anniversary. They couldn’t tell me what it was or what it was used for. I figured it could be used now as a bud vase or place card holder on a table setting. It has Celtic/Viking decoration on it and this mark on the bottom with the number “8305,” some sideways initials, and “NM.” It is 2 1/2 inches high. Can you tell me who made it and what it was used for? 

A: This is a cornucopia shape saltshaker made by Magnus Aase of Bergen, Norway. In your photo the lid, which has holes for the salt to come out of, is missing. (The photo here shows one with the lid.) The number is “830” followed by the letter “S.” The Norwegian standard for silver was .830 until about 1920, when .925 began to be used in most cases. The initials “NM” stand for Norsk Monster, which means design copyright. The sideways initials are overlapping letters “M” and “A” for Magnus Aase. The company was in business from 1876 to 1953. A few years ago, a cornucopia saltshaker like this, but complete with lid, sold for $107. Your cornucopia without the lid makes an attractive vase or conversation piece, but is not worth as much as one with a lid.