Upon discovering a number of small silver pieces amidst the clutter, I
decided to learn how to read the tales that hallmarks will tell. I
went from knowing nothing to being totally confused by everything that
I've read. Ex: small silver box (round)with ornate design (top &
sides)bottom shows the following marks: winged dragon? or other?
facing to the right; next mark is unidentifiable, though it looks like
a bull's head or a saddle(?); leopard's head w/crown; last mark looks
sort of like a lobster. I am so lost...

This site might be useful:

http://www.instappraisal.com/silvermarks.asp

Try to obtain a copy of "A Dictionary of Marks" Published by Barrie &
Jenkins Ltd. 20 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 25A

Kind Regards

Ross