Sterling Silver and Shagreen Box by Omar Ramsden - Antique George V (1935)

Description

This exceptional antique George V sterling silver box has a rectangular shaped form.

The surface of the body and the cover are embellished with the original, impressive shagreen* panels.

Each panel of this impressive Omar Ramsden box is ornamented with plain applied borders, accented with applied geometric motifs to the corners.

The sterling silver rim to the base is encompassed with an impressive applied rope twist decorated border.

The upper plateau of the cover is embellished with an impressive applied intertwining thorn design, accented with an organic motif to each corner.

The interior of the cover and the plateaued rim of the body are both embellished with exceptional engraved simplified undulating foliate decoration.

The interior of the cover is further embellished with an engraved fan design to the corners.

The body and cover of this fine sterling silver box have a cedar wood lining.

This impressive box retains the original, hallmarked solid silver base; this indicates the high quality of the piece.

This exceptional and rare silver box was crafted by the collectable and renowned silversmith Omar Ramsden.

* Shagreen is an untanned skin/rawhide, typically sourced from a horse's back, or a shark/ray. This rough textured material historically was used as a substitute for leather, for binding books and lining small cases, whereas since the 18th century it was used for covering portable items and boxes. The 19th century brought about a change in aesthetics and utilised the broad variables of the rawhide for furniture and statement pieces.

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