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Starting in the 1600's and perhaps even before, silver boxes were produced in England. To me the late 1700's through the late 1800's were the prime years for these wonderfull boxes.
English sterling is always marked with a series of marks or Hallmarks. They consist of a makers mark-the person or firm who made the item, the date letter-this allows you to find the year the piece was made, the town or city mark- such as Birmingham, Chester or London- that lets you know the area of manufacture, the lion passant or sideways lion-which is the sterling silver guaranty mark, and sometimes, on older pieces, the head of the current Sovereign, Queen Victoria, George the Third and the like.
Purchase a guide to these marks and you will be able to find out most or all of the above information. The English made silver boxes to hold almost anything and everything.
Scissor cases, thimble cases and even a single case for a cigar were among the items made. Vesta cases held matches safely, card cases for men and woman held the visiting card, an important social tool in Victorian times. Vinaigrettes-Tiny silver boxes with inner pierced lids that held a sponge soaked with aromatic vinegar to sniff when walking the old streets of England. Sewage was out in the open and often running down the gutters. A sniff from a vinaigrette, by man or woman, would provide a temporary respite from the aromas of the day!
Snuff boxes were made air tight to hold snuff, at one time so precious, snuff boxes with combination locks were produced! Many are superbly inlaid with enamels, gold and precious stones. Some members of royalty owned 30, 40, 50+ snuff boxes!
Search E-Bay and you will find many fine examples offered. Study the prices for ended auctions, borrow books on English Silver and learn what the objects are. A lifetime of pleasure awaits you! Enjoy!
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