A silver metal match case with an embossed monogram lies on the pages of an open antique book, surrounded by vintage props including a red cloth and gold-toned accessories.

Antique George Unite & Sons Birmingham Sterling Silver Vesta Case, Engine-Turned, Interlaced Script Monogram, Hallmarked 1912, Edwardian, Excellent Condition

£162.00
Skip to product information
A silver metal match case with an embossed monogram lies on the pages of an open antique book, surrounded by vintage props including a red cloth and gold-toned accessories.
1/6
  • A silver metal match case with an embossed monogram lies on the pages of an open antique book, surrounded by vintage props including a red cloth and gold-toned accessories.
  • A vintage silver metal match case with a black bezel rests on the pages of an open antique book with red-orange edges, set on a dark wooden surface next to a red cloth.
  • A silver metal match case with a hinged cover rests on the pages of an open antique book with red cloth and other vintage props around it.
  • A silver rectangular match case with a hinged cover rests on the pages of an open antique book. The book has aged cream pages with printed text and decorative borders, surrounded by a dark red cloth and other vintage items.
  • Close-up of a metallic monogrammed box with a circular embossed monogram 'MHR' on a ribbed copper-toned surface.
  • Antique George Unite & Sons Birmingham Sterling Silver Vesta Case, Engine-Turned, Interlaced Script Monogram, Hallmarked 1912, Edwardian, Excellent Condition
  • A silver metal match case with an embossed monogram lies on the pages of an open antique book, surrounded by vintage props including a red cloth and gold-toned accessories.
  • A vintage silver metal match case with a black bezel rests on the pages of an open antique book with red-orange edges, set on a dark wooden surface next to a red cloth.
  • A silver metal match case with a hinged cover rests on the pages of an open antique book with red cloth and other vintage props around it.
  • A silver rectangular match case with a hinged cover rests on the pages of an open antique book. The book has aged cream pages with printed text and decorative borders, surrounded by a dark red cloth and other vintage items.
  • Close-up of a metallic monogrammed box with a circular embossed monogram 'MHR' on a ribbed copper-toned surface.
  • Antique George Unite & Sons Birmingham Sterling Silver Vesta Case, Engine-Turned, Interlaced Script Monogram, Hallmarked 1912, Edwardian, Excellent Condition
Antique George Unite & Sons Birmingham Sterling Silver Vesta Case, Engine-Turned, Interlaced Script Monogram, Hallmarked 1912, Edwardian, Excellent Condition

Antique George Unite & Sons Birmingham Sterling Silver Vesta Case, Engine-Turned, Interlaced Script Monogram, Hallmarked 1912, Edwardian, Excellent Condition

£162.00
Taxes included. Shipping calculated at checkout.
Description

Birmingham, 1912. George Unite & Sons. Everything still sharp.

George Unite established his Birmingham workshop in the 1830s and built one of the most respected silversmithing operations in the city. By the time this vesta case left the workshop in 1912, Unite & Sons had been producing quality smallwork for the better part of a century, and this piece shows why the name carried weight: the engine-turning is tight, even, and absolutely crisp across both faces, with no wear flattening to the fine vertical line pattern. A hundred and fourteen years later, it is still in excellent condition.

The form is a classic squared Edwardian vesta, gently curved at the corners, with a plain suspension ring at the top corner for chain attachment and a knurled strike plate running along the base edge. The front face carries a reserved oval cartouche with an engraved interlaced script monogram at the centre: LCR, three letters worked together in the overlapping cursive style that was the mark of a properly finished personal object. The engine-turning runs right to the cartouche boundary on all sides.

Fully hallmarked to the interior rim: maker's mark for George Unite & Sons, Birmingham anchor, date letter N for 1912, and lion passant for sterling silver.

The Particulars:

  • Maker: George Unite & Sons, Birmingham, established c.1830s
  • Metal: Sterling silver, 925, fully hallmarked
  • Assay Office: Birmingham, anchor mark present
  • Date letter: N, 1912
  • Marks: Lion passant, Birmingham anchor, date letter N, George Unite & Sons maker's mark
  • Form: Square with curved corners, suspension ring at top corner, knurled strike plate to base
  • Exterior: All-over fine vertical line engine-turning, reserved oval cartouche with LCR interlaced script monogram
  • Condition: Excellent. Engine-turning crisp and sharp throughout. Please review all photos carefully before purchasing.

A well-made thing from a well-regarded workshop, still doing what it was built to do.

Arrives tucked inside its own treasure coffin and carefully wrapped as a vault relic, ready for gifting or keeping.

You may also like