A small ornate silver heart-shaped keepsake box with floral engraving, resting on a dark brown embossed leather-bound book with red edges.

Gourdel Vales & Co Sterling Silver Heart Pill Box, Birmingham 1902, Figural Pastoral Repousse Lid, Gilt Interior, Edwardian

£186.00
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A small ornate silver heart-shaped keepsake box with floral engraving, resting on a dark brown embossed leather-bound book with red edges.
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  • Gourdel Vales & Co Sterling Silver Heart Pill Box, Birmingham 1902, Figural Pastoral Repousse Lid, Gilt Interior, Edwardian
  • A small ornate silver heart-shaped keepsake box with floral engraving, resting on a dark brown embossed leather-bound book with red edges.
  • A silver heart-shaped ring box with a clear silver lid, resting on an antique dark brown embossed book over a red velvet surface.
  • A heart-shaped gold jewelry keepsake box in silver-toned metal, one open to reveal sparkling gold stones, resting on a dark textured book.
  • Close-up of an ornate silver-toned metal container lid with embossed relief figures and decorative scrollwork, resting on a warm brown textured surface.
  • A heart-shaped silver-toned metal box with intricate embossed relief detailing of a classical scene, resting on a textured golden-brown surface.
  • A close-up of an ornate silver-toned metal box with a highly detailed embossed lid featuring a winged figure and scrollwork, resting on a textured gold-toned surface.
  • Gourdel Vales & Co Sterling Silver Heart Pill Box, Birmingham 1902, Figural Pastoral Repousse Lid, Gilt Interior, Edwardian
Gourdel Vales & Co Sterling Silver Heart Pill Box, Birmingham 1902, Figural Pastoral Repousse Lid, Gilt Interior, Edwardian

Gourdel Vales & Co Sterling Silver Heart Pill Box, Birmingham 1902, Figural Pastoral Repousse Lid, Gilt Interior, Edwardian

£186.00
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Description

Birmingham. 1902. Gourdel Vales. A pastoral couple on the lid. The gold inside has not gone anywhere.

An Edwardian sterling silver heart-form pill box or trinket casket by Gourdel Vales & Co, hallmarked Birmingham 1902: a fully three-dimensional heart with substantial depth, the lid carrying a high-relief repousse pastoral scene across the full surface — a female figure with elaborate flowing hair and dress to the left, a male figure centre-right, the composition surrounded by dense foliate and floral sprays and framed at the border by rococo acanthus scrollwork. The relief is deep and sculptural throughout, the figures standing proud of the surface with well-defined drapery, hair detail, and individual flower heads.

The interior is fully gilt-washed in deep warm gold: the base bowl plain and even, the interior face of the lid carrying embossed floral decoration continuing the exterior vocabulary, also gilt. The gilt is rich and well-preserved across both surfaces. The hinge is clean and the box closes with a secure fit.

Full English hallmarks are struck to the interior base of the box and separately to the rim of the lid: Birmingham anchor, sterling lion passant, date letter c (1902), and maker's mark G.V & Co for Gourdel Vales & Co, a Birmingham silver and jewellery manufacturer of the late Victorian and Edwardian period. Separately struck marks to both box and lid confirm correct hallmarking practice for a piece of this quality.

The Particulars:

  • Maker: Gourdel Vales & Co, Birmingham
  • Hallmarks: Birmingham assay office anchor; sterling lion passant; date letter c, 1902; maker's mark G.V & Co — struck to interior base and separately to lid rim
  • Form: Heart-form pill box or trinket casket; fully three-dimensional deep body; hinged lid; secure closure
  • Lid: High-relief repousse figural pastoral scene — courting couple with foliate and floral surround; rococo acanthus scroll border
  • Interior: Fully gilt-washed; base plain; lid interior with embossed floral decoration, also gilt; gilt rich and well-preserved
  • Condition: Very good. Repousse crisp and well-defined; gilt interior excellent; hinge and closure functional; no dents or damage noted. Please review all photos carefully before purchasing.
  • Origin: English, Birmingham, Edwardian, 1902

Edward VII had been king for one year when this was made. The couple on the lid have been courting ever since.

Arrives carefully wrapped as a vault relic.

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