{"product_id":"1901-sterling-silver-pill-box","title":"1901 Deakin \u0026 Francis Sterling Silver Pill Box, Engine-Turned Crosshatch Lid, Cartouche Reserve, Serpentine Scrolled Border, Birmingham Hallmarked","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBirmingham, 1901. Made by Deakin and Francis. Still perfect.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA hallmarked sterling silver pill box by Deakin and Francis of Birmingham, dated 1901: a shaped-rectangular or cartouche-form box with a continuous serpentine scrolled and lobed border running around the full perimeter of both lid and base, the corners formed into four scrolled lobes with flowing S-scroll connections between them. The lid face is entirely covered in engine-turned crosshatch or hobnail-pattern engraving, the fine diamond grid running precisely from the scrolled border to a central oval cartouche reserve left plain, unengraved, and ready. The engine-turning is in exceptional preservation: no rubbing, no wear, the pattern as crisp as the day it came off the wheel. The base is plain polished silver. The hinge is a neat barrel construction; the box closes with a clean snap catch to the front edge.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDeakin and Francis are one of Birmingham's most distinguished silversmithing firms, established 1786 and still trading. Their small silver of the Edwardian period, particularly boxes and accessories of this quality of finish, is consistently sought by collectors. The complete four-punch hallmark suite is struck clearly to the interior base: maker's mark, lion passant, Birmingham anchor, date letter b for 1901.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Particulars:\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaker: Deakin and Francis Ltd, Birmingham; established 1786\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHallmarks: Maker's mark (D\u0026amp;F); lion passant (sterling silver standard); Birmingham anchor (assay office); date letter b (1901)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eForm: Shaped-rectangular cartouche pill box; serpentine scrolled and lobed border; barrel hinge; snap catch closure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDecoration: Full engine-turned crosshatch or hobnail ground to lid; central plain oval cartouche reserve (unengraved); plain polished base\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDimensions: Approximately 1.5 x 1 inch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCondition: Very good to excellent. Engine-turning crisp and unworn; border intact with no dents; hinge and catch fully functional; interior with light age patina only. Please review all photos carefully before purchasing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeriod: Edwardian, 1901\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt held someone's remedies for 125 years. It will hold yours just as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eArrives tucked inside its own treasure coffin and carefully wrapped as a vault relic.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vaen’kai Vault","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55009842430291,"sku":"VKVPB-H003","price":162.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1085\/2771\/4643\/files\/DSC_8309.jpg?v=1789981874","url":"https:\/\/vaenkaivault.com\/products\/1901-sterling-silver-pill-box","provider":"Vaen’kai Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}