Boxes

Since antique times caskets have been used to keep important documents and jewels. In England silver boxes (and gold) in a various of shapes and sizes became popular in the seventeenth century. Small boxes, designed for many diverse uses – counters, snuff, vestas, tobacco, vinaigrettes, scent, nutmeg, toothpicks, toilet boxes. Larger boxes, made for specific storage requirements, including tea, sugar, biscuits, cigarettes and cigars. The jewellery box remains as popular today as it did in ancient times.

Boxes

Circa 1580

10187 Elizabeth I Antique Silver Bottle
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A fantastic little collector’s item. A rare 16^th century silver bottle, tiny size, probably for perfume oil or holy water. The detachable screw top contains a space inside for either a cork or dip stick. The body is finely engraved with hatched ornament typical of the mid to late 16^th century. Weight 20 grams. Height 6.5cm (to the top), 4.3cm (to top of body). Base measures 3.2cm x 2.2cm. English. Circa 1580. Unmarked silver.
Circa 1635
Simon and Willem De Passe
9993 Charles I Antique Silver Box
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A charming piece of early silver. An antique silver counter box of cylindrical form, the openwork sides pierced with fanciful birds and scrolling foliage. The cover has a bust portrait of Charles I, the base has a bust portrait of Henrietta Maria. This box has no counters.
1675
Isaac Dighton
9172 Antique Charles II Silver Boxes
£6,950

A very rare matching pair of early antique silver boxes of octagonal form, with pull off tops, dating from the reign of King Charles II. Sterling silver. Simple plain form with a large hand engraved crest within tied plumage, very typical of the date. Superb antique colour. At this date boxes of this type would have originally been part of an extensive toilet service. Total weight 239 grams, 7.6 troy ounces. Height 3.5 cm. Width of top 9 cm. London 1675. Maker Isaac Dighton, London.
1675 - 1679
Marx Schaller
9789 Antique German Silver Tea Cannister
£6,500

A 17^th century German parcel-gilt silver caddy of barrel shape. With a screw top lid and drop ring handle. Beautifully made and very tactile to hold. Suitable for tea and sugar. Raised on four ball feet, the box is decorated throughout with silver lobes against a matted gilt background. Weight 321 grams, 10.3 troy ounces. Height 11.5cm (to the top), 15cm (to top of handle). Stamped on the top and underside of body with German silver marks and assay scrape for Augsburg, Germany. Maker Marx Schaller II. Circa 1675-79. See Rosenburg German silver marks for Augsburg page 127.
Circa 1680

9568 Antique Dutch Silver Marriage Box
£9,500

A 17^th century silver gilt casket of traditional rectangular form. The domed top with swing handle is hand engraved with a bridal couple surrounded by birds and foliage. The body, standing on four ball feet, has a front locking catch in the form of a flower, and is hand engraved with old testament scenes. Initials to the front of the lid. Weight 162 grams, 5.2 troy ounces. Height 7.7cm. Length 8.5cm. Depth 5cm. Stamped underneath twice with a maker’s mark (anvil?) unidentified. Circa 1680.
Circa 1680

9855 17th Century Continental Silver Pomander
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A fascinating piece of history contained in a small silver globe. This antique silver pomander of spherical form has all-over chased decoration of flowers & leaf-scrolls in low relief. The screw top unturns to release the six numbered, hinged segments with sliding covers, the interior with hand engraved flowers. The foot unscrews to reveal a secret hollow compartment. Weight 89 grams, 2.8 troy ounces. Height 6.5cm. Spread 9cm fully extended. The pomander is made of unmarked silver It is quite usual for a small article of this date to be unmarked. Probably Dutch. Circa 1680.
Circa 1690
Anthony Nelme
9371 Antique 17th Century Silver Boxes
£3,750

A pair of early English antique sterling silver toilet jars with lift off lids. Plain octagonal form. The tops have a hand engraved armorial within plumage feathers, typical of the Charles II/James II period. These unusual miniature toilet jars are very charming. Superb antique colour. At this date boxes of this type would have originally been part of an extensive toilet service. Total weight 148 grams, 4.7 troy ounces. Height 6cm. Diameter of lid 3.8cm. Makers mark only for Anthony Nelme. Circa 1690.
1690

9997 William & Mary Antique Silver Nutmeg Grater
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A charming little late 17^th century silver nutmeg grater of teardrop form, one side fitted with a serrated rasp. Each side has a hinged lid with stand-away hinge. Both covers are hand engraved with simple foliate decoration. Weight 29 grams, 0.9 troy ounce. Height 2.5 cm. Top 3.7 x 2.9 cm. Total spread across the covers 8.3cm. Unmarked silver. English. Circa 1690.
Circa 1690

10212 17th century Antique Silver Counter Box
£1,750

An antique silver counter box of typical cylindrical form. The hand engraved decoration is very unusual having a finely worked matted and hatched background. The pull-off cover is decorated with the Tudor rose, the sides with cherubs, fruit and foliage. Weight approx.10 grams, 0.4 troy ounces. Diameter 2.1cm. Height 1.8cm. Probably English. Circa 1690. Unmarked silver. 17th century.

Literature. Counter boxes contained a number of disks, commonly stamped or engraved with portraits of English monarchs, that were used as game markers and counting devices. Counter boxes were rarely marked.
Circa 1690

10151 17th Century Antique Silver Counter Box
£1,150

A late 17th century silver counter box of typical cylindrical form with pull-off cover. The lines of hatched engraving resemble that on English silver nutmeg graters circa 1690 and there is a small comical face showing through the border on the lid. Weight 44 grams, 1.4 troy ounces. Height 4.3cm. Diameter 4,.2cm. Unmarked silver. Probably English. Circa 1690.
Circa 1714
John Swann
9803 Antique Silver Snuff Box
£695

A little period gem. A small rectangular silver snuff box with simple plain styling and gilded interior. Queen Anne or George I period. Weight 37 grams, 1.2 troy ounces. Top measures 5cm x 3.5cm. Stamped inside the base with a single makers mark “IS” with the distinctive swan for John Swann. London circa 1714. Britannia standard silver.
1723
Edward Gibbons
9133 George I Silver Tea Caddies with Sliding Tops
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A rare pair of antique sterling silver tea caddy boxes with sliding lids. The removable cap doubles up as a tea measure. Lovely plain hexagonal design and good gauge silver. Each sliding top caddy has a decorative cartouche hand engraved to the front. Total weight 390 grams, 12.5 troy ounces. Height 12 cms. Base 9 x 6 cms. London 1723. Maker Edward Gibbons.
1733
Edward Vincent
9695 George II Silver Box
£8,750

A rare antique silver box of hexagonal form with a folding strapwork catch; the hinged lid having a large drop handle supported by ball finials. Of plain form and heavy gauge silver, this unusual box is extremely heavy. The interior pull out tray has two hinged lids enclosing six compartments. Possibly a spice box, although spice boxes of this period usually had a double centrally hinged lid, could also be used for cash or jewellery. Weight 1268 grams, 40.7 troy ounces. Height 9.5cm. Top measures 17 x 12cm. London 1733. Maker Edward Vincent. Sterling silver.
Circa 1740

9621 Antique Gold Pique Box
£3,500

An antique tortoiseshell box of circular bombe form inlaid overall with gold pique dot work. The cover and base are overlaid with solid gold cut work ornament of classical figures and motifs. Diameter 6 cm. Height 3.1 cm. Circa 1740. Probably English. Unmarked gold.
1740

9957 George II Antique Silver Cashew Box
£675

An attractive little antique sterling silver cashew box, or silver snuff box, of heart shaped design. Original gilt finish. The embossed lid decoration shows a young man playing a lute with a putto in the background. Weight 40 grams, 1.2 troy ounces. Height 2.5cm. Top measures 6 x 5cm. London 1740. Maker “LM”. Sterling silver.
1748
Samuel Taylor
9867 George II Covered Sugar Bowl
£1,750

A rare antique sterling silver covered sugar bowl of circular form on a small spreading foot. Excellent plain design, typical of the period. Good colour. In the early 18th century sugar bowls or sugar boxes nearly always had covers which, when reversed, could be used as a saucer or spoon tray. Weight 219 grams, 7.0 troy ounces. Total height 9cm. Bowl diameter 9.7cm. London 1748. Maker probably Samuel Taylor a specialist tea caddy and sugar bowl maker.
Circa 1750

9674 Antique Silver Perpetual Calendar Snuff Box
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An 18th century silver snuff box with rotating dials to both sides. Very charming and retains the interior gilding. The panels have scrolled flower and chased decoration. The top side has the rotatable “Calendarium Perpetuum” which shows the days of the week (in old German script, and marked with their planetary signs) against days of the month. The reverse side has seven readout windows described by the headings on the rotatable disk (in old German script) – 1) month of the year with its number of days, 2) the important saints’ and feast days in the month, 3) sun’s Zodiacal position (represented by amusing little hand engraved zodiac symbols), 4) length of day, 5) length of night, 6) time of sun rise, and 7) time of sunset. A good example in very good condition. 126 grams, 4 troy ounces. Length 8.4cm. Width 5.5cm. Height 2cm. German. Probably 18^th century circa 1750. Unmarked silver.
1751
John Jacob
9784 George II Silver Caddies in a Box
£11,750

A stunning quality set of antique silver tea caddies and covered sugar bowl in a later fitted lockable tortoiseshell box with silver mounts. Very heavy gauge, cast silver. The deeply embossed and chased silver decoration is particularly attractive and each piece has a cartouche with a lion crest to the front. The two baluster shaped caddies, for green and black tea, have lift off tops. The bowl has a hinged lid with a bouquet of flowers finial. Total weight of 3 boxes 1,373 grams, 44 troy ounces. Tea caddy height 16.5cm. Sugar bowl height 15.5cm. London 1751. Maker John Jacobs, of Hugeunot origin. The box handle is hallmarked for London 1805, maker “JS”. Sterling silver.
1752
Samuel Herbert And Company
9504 George II Silver Caddies in a Box
£6,750

An excellent quality pair of antique sterling silver tea caddies and matching covered sugar bowl with gilt interior. All with cast silver bird finials and contained in a fitted Sheraton period wooden box with coloured flower and foliage inlays. The deeply embossed and chased silver decoration is particularly attractive and each caddy has a fine hand engraved coat of arms to the front. Heavy weight. The two caddies, for green and black tea, have the original lift off tops now drilled with holes to convert them into sugar shakers (muffinieres). Total weight of 3 boxes 882 grams, 28.3 troy ounces. Sugar casters height 15.5cm. Sugar bowl height 14cm, diameter 10.3cm. London 1752. Maker S Herbert & Co..
1761
Emick Romer
9755 George III Silver Chinoiserie Tea Caddy
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A fine example of an antique silver caddy box of bombe form with a side hinged lid and standing on scrolling feet. The sides are embossed with charming scenes of Chinese daily life. The lid finial is in the form of a mother and baby. Weight 366 grams, 11.7 troy ounces. Height 16cm. Body measurements at maximum – width 9.2cm, depth 8cm. London 1761. Maker Emick Romer. Sterling silver.
1761
Emick Romer
10194` Antique Silver Caddy Box
£2,250

A fine antique silver tea caddy of rectangular form having a side hinged lid and integral feet. The sides and top have embossed scenes of chinoiserie decoration with finely engraved detail. Weight 366 grams, 11.7 troy ounces. Height 16cm. Body measurements at maximum – width 9.2cm, depth 8cm. London 1761. Maker Emick Romer. Sterling silver. 18th century.
1766
Edward Aldridge
9826 George III Silver Caddies in a Box
£7,850

An exceptional set of antique silver tea caddies and covered sugar bowl in a black shagreen box with silver mounts. Excellent quality and classic styling. The bombe form tea boxes have lift off lids with gadroon borders; the decorative cast bases have applied acanthus mounts above to all sides. The two square shaped caddies are for green and black tea; the rectangular caddy is for sugar. The shagreen box has a red velvet interior; the exterior has beautifully ornamented silver mounts, the handle is hand engraved with a crest. Total weight of 3 boxes 858 grams, 27.5 troy ounces. Square caddy height 15cm base 8.5 x 7.5cm. Rectangular caddy height 16.5cm, base 9.5 x 8.5cm. London 1766. Maker Edward Aldridge. The box silver maker is “IW”. Sterling silver.
1775
Elori-Denis Thierry
10206 Louis XVI Antique French Gold Box
£7,500

A superb French vari-colour gold snuff box of oval form charmingly presented with decorative applied plaques. The lid has a central love trophy of hearts, love birds, flaming torches and a mandolin; the four side plaques have gardening and musical themes. Weight 86 grams, just under 3 troy ounces. Length 6.7cm. Width 4.8cm. Height 2.5cm. Paris 1775. Maker Elori-Denis Thierry. High grade gold, 3 colours, 18 carat.
Circa 1790

3289 Antique Continental Silver Tobacco Box
£550

A good 18th century silver tobacco box with long hinged lid and original gilt interior. The bright cut decoration is particularly fine. Weight 229 grams, 7.3 troy ounces.Length 14.5 cms. Depth 6.25 cms. Height 3 cms. Continental silver hallmarks (2 silver marks stamped on the inner rim of the box). Circa 1790.
Circa 1790

9643 Antique Tortoiseshell Snuff Box
£225

A pretty little tortoiseshell snuff box of oval form with a hinged lid and gilt brass banding. The top has intricate silver pique work and a central agate plaque. Top measures 8 x 4.1 cm. Height 2.5 cm. English. Circa 1790.
1796
Henry Nutting
9917 George III Silver Tea Caddy
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A very elegant antique sterling silver tea caddy of oval form with a hinged lid. Beautifully hand engraved with bands of bright cut engraving and classical flower and swag decoration. The lid has a flush inset hinge. To the front is a decorative cartouche containing a monogram in old fashioned script. Weight 399 grams, 12.8 troy ounces. Top 13.5 x 8.8cm. Height 16cm. London 1796. Maker Henry Nutting.
1796
Henry Chawner And John Emes
9949 George III Antique Silver Caddy Box
£3,350

A fine antique sterling silver tea caddy box of plain oval form, the fixed carrying handle with reed and acanthus decoration. Elegant classical features with bands of shell motifs hand engraved within concentric prick dot lines. The bucket handbag shape is very unusual. The double opening lid has an inset hinge and there is a lock to either side. Weight 546 grams, 17.5 troy ounces. Height 18.5cm (to top of handle), 11.5cm (to top of caddy). Length 15cm. Width 10.2cm. London 1796. Maker Henry Chawner & John Emes. Sterling silver.
1804
Peter‚ Ann & William Bateman
9730 George III Silver Tea Cannister
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An antique silver caddy of plain rectangular form with pull off lid. Made by the sought after Bateman family. This cannister shape has very pleasing geometric lines. Weight 228 grams, 7.3 troy ounces. Height 8cm (9.2cm to top of cap). London 1781. Maker Peter, William & Anne Bateman. Sterling silver.
1806
John Emes
9872 George III Silver Tea Caddy
£2,350

An unusual antique silver tea caddy box of curved rectangular form. Lovely classic style. This is a double caddy designed for both black and green tea. Beautifully engraved to the lid and body with leaf borders and a thick band of foliate scrolls with interspersed flowerheads. To the front is a monogram in old fashioned script. The fixed carrying handle has a reed and acanthus decoration. The unusual double opening lid has an inset hinge and there is a lock to either side. Key provided. Weight 661 grams, 21.2 troy ounces. Height 12.2 cm, 19.6 cm to top of handle. Top measures 15.5 x 12.2 cm. London 1806. Maker John Emes. Sterling silver.
1807
Peter & William Bateman
8216 George III Silver Tea Caddy
£1,950

A fine antique sterling silver tea caddy box of plain circular form having a central divider and lock (no key). An attractive feature is the decorative finial in the form of a Chinese gentleman holding a fish. The decoration is particularly fine, with gadroon edge borders and concentric bands of hand engraved leaf motifs, greek key design and basket weave. Weight 698 grams, 22.4 troy ounces. Height 16.5 cm. Diameter 16 cm. London 1807. Maker Peter & William Bateman.
Circa 1820

10213 Antique Gold Vinaigrette
£1,375

A lovely little novelty collector’s item. An early 19th century gold vinaigrette modelled as a travelling case. The hinged cover, with a carrying handle, is inscribed ‘Souvenir’. The cover opens to reveal a pierced hinged grille. 2 coloured gold, the body is a rich yellow gold and the flower highlights and body fluting are in copper gold. Approx. measurements – height 2cm (handle extended), length 1.8cm, width 1.5cm. Weight 4.7grams. Circa 1820. Unmarked gold. Continental.
Circa 1840

9600 Antique Dutch Silver Box
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An antique silver table snuff box with hinged lid and silver string decoration overall. Original gilt interior. Weight 179 grams, 5.7 troy ounces. Height 2.7 cm. Top 12.8 x 7.7 cm. Stamped with Dutch silver marks. Circa 1840.