Dressing / Vanity

Mirrors, Dressing Sets, Perfume Bottles, Photo Frames

Antique silver mirrors were comparatively rare prior to the late 19th century. The first examples were usually easel mirrors, made to go with a full dressing toilet set, although the smaller examples were perhaps intended to be hung on the wall.

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Dressing / Vanity

Mirrors, Dressing Sets, Perfume Bottles, Photo Frames

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 1650

10297 17th Century Antique Silver Pomander
£7,500

An exquisite little historical item dating back to circa 1650. The antique silver pomander of “segmented-apple” form has eight leaf-shaped loculi which unfold when the bell shaped finial is released/unscrewed. The central section has four compartments, for spice, herbs or perfume, which are fitted with small rectangular hinged doors marked with Latin names – “Nerdi” for spikenard, “Carvi” for carroway, “Macis” for Mace and “Cocco” for coconut known for its antibacterial properties. The perfume cells still retain traces of the original perfumed wax compound. Weight 33 grams, 1 troy ounce. Height 4.8cm. Spread 6.6cm fully extended. The pomander is made of unmarked silver which is quite usual for a small article of this date. Probably Italian. Circa 1650.
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.
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.
1691
Benjamin Bathurst
10172 William & Mary Antique Silver Mirror
£6,750

A large antique silver toilet mirror of rectangular form with a traditional gadroon border and smart, clean lines. Excellent size. Would look amazing as a wall mirror. The reverse side has wall hanging hooks and also the wooden easel stand for use as a dressing mirror. Height 54cm. Width 46.8cm. London 1691. Maker Benjamin Bathurst. Sterling silver.
Circa 1720
Paul de Lamerie
10174 George II Antique Silver Bell
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An excellent quality silver hand bell by the sought after Huguenot silversmith Paul de Lamerie. Good plain style with concentric bands around the centre and bottom rim. Heavy cast silver. Weight 226 grams, 7.2 troy ounces. Height 10.2cm. Diameter 6.7cm. London circa 1720. Maker Paul de Lamerie. Britannia Standard silver, 95.8% purity.
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.
1769
William & Aaron Lestourgeon
10282 George III Antique Silver Box
£795

An attractive antique silver toilet box of plain cylindrical form with pull off lid and reeded rims. The top is hand engraved with a stag crest. Useful size suitable as a jewellery box or for cuff links. Weight 231 grams, 7.4 troy ounces. Height 4.7cm. Diameter 10.1cm. London 1769. Maker William & Aaron Lestourgeon. Sterling silver. 18^th century.
Circa 1780

10236 18th Century Antique Silver Etui
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An attractive little travelling set in a clip top silver case of tapering rectangular form. The embossed decoration is very charming with a village scene, 2 dogs and a goose. The interior is fitted with a penknife, scissors and pencil. Length 8.8cm. Width 3.3cm. Unmarked. Continental. Circa 1780.
Circa 1800

7091 Georgian Cut Steel Purse
£145

A delightful little cut steel purse with excellent quality metalwork. To each side there is an ornate, pierced and engraved steel panel and to the front there is an inset polychrome painting on glass with a maritime scene. The interior is made of red leather and silk. This piece has suffered damage over the years but still remains a very charming and collectible piece. Length 7 cm. Width 5 cm. Unmarked. Circa 1800.
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.
1830
Joseph Angell
10230 William IV Antique Silver Bell
£1,675

An excellent quality antique silver table bell with delightful flower and foliate decoration throughout. Good quality construction and heavy gauge cast silver. Rings beautifully. Weight 232 grams, 7.4 troy oz. Height 13.5cm. Diameter 6.8cm. London 1830. Joseph Angell I. Sterling silver. 19^th century.
Circa 1860

8465 Antique French Silver Scent Bottle
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An excellent quality antique scent bottle with a decorative silver mount. The hinged top has a hand engraved design with flowers, leaves and dot scroll work. The oval shaped body is made of multi faceted crystal and typically of the period, has a rounded base which was made to lie down. Traces of the original gilt finish. H 11.2 cms. Width 4 cms. Stamped on the mount and top with very small French silver marks, circa 1860.
1881
Hunt & Roskell
9721 Victorian Silver Gilt Mirror
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A fine antique silver gilt dressing mirror of waisted form surmounted by two large putti flanking a monogrammed cartouche. The whole frame has magnificent applied decoration in the rococo revival style; the cast pendant floral sprays to the border are particularly stunning. The wooden easel back has hanging hooks and wire. Height 58.5cm. Width 41cm. London 1881. Maker Hunt & Roskell, late Storr & Mortimer. Numbered 8158. Sterling silver.
1882

7109 Antique Russian Silver Purse
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A delightful little antique silver purse in the form of a handbag with a carrying chain. Excellent decorative detail including faux basket weave and shaped leather straps with buckles. Original gilt interior. Weight 66 grams, 2.1 troy ounces. Height 6cm (excluding chain). Width 7cm. Stamped on both sides with Russian silver marks including the grade “84”, town mark, the year 1882 and the makers mark.
Circa 1890

8834 Antique French Silver Lorgnette
Reserved

A decorative antique gilt silver folding magnifying glass or eyeglass with a spring clip. Length 15.5 cms. Spread across the lenses 14 cms. Unmarked silver with gold finish. French. Circa 1890.
Circa 1890

9886 Antique Enamel Opera Glasses
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An attractive pair of antique opera glasses made of gilt brass metal and enamel. The binocular tops and extension knob are made of real mother of pearl. The scarlet red enamel barrels each have a large hand painted portrait of a young woman, the flower head and foliate edged cartouche is painted in gilt and silver leaf. Measures – width 10cm, closed height 4.9cm, extended height 6cm. French. Circa 1890. Retailer’s mark for Chevalier, Paris.
Circa 1890

9905 Antique Gold and Enamel Pencil
£225

A good quality late Victorian small 9 carat gold and enamel telescopic propelling pencil with attached suspension ring, a deep blue coloured guilloche enamel sleeve, and bullet shaped telescopic pencil with reeded barrel. Length 3cm (closed), 6.1cm (open). Maker “E.B”. England. Circa 1890.
Circa 1900

9437 Antique Gold and Enamel Scent Bottle
£595

An excellent quality antique gold and enamel scent flask with a hand painted forest scene depicting a young man on horseback wooing a young girl. With a fitted glass stopper. Height 7cm. Diameter 2cm. Unmarked gold. Retailers stamp for Thornhill, New Bond St, London. Circa 1900.
Circa 1900 - 1910
Arthur Downing Ltd
9924 Antique Silver Toothpick
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An early 20^th century silver retractable toothpick in a discreet plain style. Fully portable, the little silver hook at one end will attach it to a key ring, watch chain etc for safety. To use simply slide the sleeve forward to reveal an elegant silver tooth pick. Length 5.3cm closed, 7.5cm open. Circa 1900-1910. Maker Arthur Downing Ltd. Sterling silver.
Circa 1920

9909 Art Deco Silver Lorgnette
£175

A stylish antique silver folding magnifying glass or eyeglass, the handle and frame decorated with engine turning and art deco motif. The lorgnette is operated by a spring clip at the bottom of the handle. Length 11.8cm. 935 grade silver. Probably German. Circa 1920.