T.H. Hazlewood & Co Sterling Silver Vesta Case, Birmingham 1919, Full-Surface Foliate Engraving, Blank Cartouche, George V, Maker Ceased 1923

Birmingham. 1919. Full surface. No name in the cartouche. Hazlewood closed four years later.

A George V sterling silver vesta case by T.H. Hazlewood & Co, hallmarked Birmingham 1919: a square-cushion form with softly rounded corners, the entire exterior surface covered in densely packed flat-engraved foliate and floral spray decoration — small leaves, stems, and flower heads scattered continuously across both faces and the sides, no plain ground left showing. The engraving is fine and close, the pattern consistent and well-executed across the full field. A plain polished oval cartouche is reserved to the front face within the engraved surround, left blank and un-monogrammed: the piece was engraved but never personalised.

A simple wire suspension ring is fitted to the upper left corner, allowing the case to be worn on a chatelaine or watch chain. The serrated milled striker edge runs the full base perimeter and is intact. The hinge and closure operate cleanly.

One surface dent is present to the upper area of the front face, within the engraved field: a visible compression with associated surface disturbance to the surrounding engraving. The dent is more prominent than a plain-surface dent would be, as the disruption reads against the engraved ground. It is fully documented in the photographs and the piece is priced to reflect this honestly.

T.H. Hazlewood & Co was a Birmingham silversmith and jewellery manufacturer active in the early 20th century, ceasing trade around 1923-24. A 1919 Birmingham piece from a maker with a four-year remaining production window carries the particular interest of late output from a now-closed workshop.

The Particulars:

• Maker: T.H. Hazlewood & Co, Birmingham; ceased trading c.1923-24
• Hallmarks: Birmingham assay office anchor; sterling lion passant; date letter 1919 (u); maker's mark T.H.H & Co — full set struck to interior
• Form: Square-cushion vesta case; softly rounded corners; wire suspension ring; serrated milled striker base
• Decoration: Full-surface flat-engraved foliate and floral spray to all exterior faces; plain polished reserved cartouche to front face, un-monogrammed
• Condition: Good. One surface dent to upper front face within engraved field, visible against engraved ground; fully documented in photographs. Hinge, closure, and striker intact and functional. Please review all photos carefully before purchasing.
• Origin: English, Birmingham, George V, 1919

Four years of production left when this was made. They didn't know that. They engraved every surface anyway.

Arrives carefully wrapped as a vault relic.