Sterling Silver Table Snuff Box - Antique Victorian (1843)

Description

This magnificent antique Victorian sterling silver snuff box has a rectangular form with rounded corners.

The body is embellished with fine and impressive panels of engine turned decoration encompassed with a tooled decorated border.

This exceptional example of antique silverware is fitted with a hinged hallmarked cover, featuring an impressive hallmarked cast and applied floral motif and leaf decorated border; this hallmarked border indicates the high quality of the piece.

The upper plateau is ornamented with further engine turned decoration incorporating a wrigglework bordered rectangular cartouche inscribed with the contemporary bright cut engraved initials 'J.S' .

The upper portion of the cover and base of the box are encompassed with applied simplified scrolling floral and foliate decorated borders.

The underside of the box features a further panel of engine turned decoration.

This antique sterling silver snuff box opens to reveal the original gilded interior and presentation inscription 'This box was presented to Mr. John Slow by a number of his friends assembled at the House of Mr. James Poore, Junr. Queens Head, Dockhead: on Friday May 17th 1844 as a token of respect towards him'.*

This magnificent example of antique silverware is fitted to the original hinged leatherette presentation box with a velvet and satin lined interior, securing with a push fit catch.

This silver snuff box is the finest example of its type you could hope to acquire due to its size, quality and gauge of silver.

* This inscription refers to John Slow (1805-1855) who served as a Relieving Officer for the Bermondsey Board of Guardians. Boards of Guardians were ad hoc authorities that administered Poor Law in the United Kingdom from 1835 to 1930. James Poore Jnr was the Landlord of stated public house which was located in Bermondsey in the County of Surrey; it can be presumed he was a well-known and influential figure at the time of presentation.

Read a brief history of antique silver snuff boxes