Description

An antique continental silver box with detachable lid and standing on animal’s paw feet. The box has ribbed detail with gadroon and bead borders, the lid with shell and classical motifs.

Weight 256 grams, 8.2 troy ounces.
Height 9 cm. Top 13.2 x 9.5 cm.
Stamped with German silver marks for Augsburg.
Circa 1700.

Augsburg’s wealth originated in Roman times when its sophisticated canal system facilitated trade in salt and silver. This route to Rome developed, over the centuries, into a main trading route.
By 1276 trade and banking were so important to this otherwise ordinary town that the burghers of Ausburg were able to make their home into a Free Imperial City. The local municipal government was able to make its own plans, raise its own taxes and legislate for its own laws.
The town’s wealth continued to grow, peaking in the 16th and 17th centuries, due to the export of gold and silver art, armour, the establishment of textile manufacturing, and the city’s continuing role in banking and finance. Wealthy, cultivated and powerful families became wonderful patrons of gold and silver art objects. And the demand must have been endless. Even when Augsburg had only 30,000 inhabitants, some 260-275 of them were occupied full time as master gold and silversmiths.

The silver box is in very good condition. Stamped on the lid and under the base with German silver marks, assay scrape to the base.

No maker assigned

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