1906. Birmingham. Sterling. Every surface worked. The arms are still on the lid.
An Edwardian sterling silver table casket, fully hallmarked for Birmingham 1906: a rectangular form with straight sides, the entire exterior surface decorated in repousse and chased work of the highest ambition — scrolling acanthus, rococo floral sprays, and a central heraldic cartouche to the lid carrying a coat of arms within an elaborate scrolled surround. The decoration extends to all four sides and the base, the relief deep and sculptural, the chasing fine and detailed throughout. The interior is fully gilt-washed in warm honey-gold, the gold wash even and deep. The interior walls carry embossed or chased decoration continuing the exterior vocabulary. The lid is fitted on a knuckle hinge and opens cleanly.
The Birmingham assay office anchor mark, sterling lion passant, date letter for 1906, and maker's mark are all struck clearly to the rim. This is a fully documented, fully attributed English sterling silver object.
At 4 x 2 x 2 inches, the form and proportion are consistent with a table casket, correspondence box, or small stationery box — a fixed desk or dressing table object rather than a portable piece. The armorial cartouche to the lid suggests either family commission or the period convention of applying heraldic decoration to quality silver for the gift and presentation market.
The Particulars:
- Material: Sterling silver (925) throughout; gilt-washed interior
- Hallmarks: Birmingham assay office anchor; lion passant; date letter 1906; maker's mark — full set struck to rim
- Form: Rectangular table casket; straight sides; knuckle hinge; snap or press closure
- Decoration: Full repousse and chased work to all exterior surfaces; heraldic armorial cartouche to lid within scrolled surround; rococo floral and acanthus throughout; chased decoration to interior
- Dimensions: Approximately 4 x 2 x 2 inches
- Condition: Please review all photographs carefully before purchasing. Surface oxidation consistent with age present in the chasing recesses; overall form and decoration intact. Hinge functional.
- Origin: English, Birmingham, Edwardian, 1906
Someone had arms worth putting on silver. The silver was worth the arms.
Arrives carefully wrapped as a vault relic.
