Description

A charming early English silver box of plain oval form. The pull-off cover with a large, crisp armorial within a decorative cartouche for Harrington quartering Moodie (Mudie). This style was popular from the mid-17th century up until the reign of George I.

Weight 122g, 3.9 troy oz.
Length 9.2cm. Width 7.4cm. Height 2cm.
London circa 1710.
Maker Edward Cornock.
Britannia standard silver, high purity 95.8%.

Tobacco was introduced into Europe circa 1580 however the first tobacco box, with the typical oval form and dome top pull off lid, did not appear until circa 1650.

Marks. Stamped on the edge of the base with a full set of English silver hallmarks (maker’s mark partially stamped, date letter worn but clearly cycle 1697-1715; as Cornock’s 1st mark wasn’t entered until 1707 the date is most likely 1708); inside the lid are the makers mark (clear but partially stamped) and lion mark.

Britannia Standard. In 1696, so extensive had become the melting and clipping of coinage that the silversmiths were forbidden to use the sterling standard for their wares, but had to use a new higher standard, 95.8 per cent. New hallmarks were ordered, “the figure of a woman commonly called Britannia” and the lion’s head erased (torn off at the neck) replacing the lion passant and the leopard’s head crowned. This continued until the old standard of 92.5 per cent was restored in 1720. Britannia standard silver still continues to be produced even today.

The tobacco box is in very good condition with signs of use over the years. The cover fits well onto the body and the detail to the engraved armorial is good. Seen from inside there are signs of minor solder repairs and a small wear mark to the bottom rim of the body.

Maker: Edward Cornock

Edward Cornock (Cornac), London silversmith, apprenticed to Henry Grant 1698, free 1708. 1st mark entered as largeworker 1707. 2nd mark (sterling) 1723.

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