What is a Victorian sterling silver casket?

A Victorian sterling silver casket is a decorative, hinged or lift-lid box crafted from solid silver during the reign of Queen Victoria (18371901), typically used to hold jewellery, trinkets, or dressing table accessories.

How were late 19th-century silver caskets constructed?

Late 19th-century silver caskets were shaped using sterling silver sheet metal and decorated through repousse and chasing techniques to raise relief patterns, often finished with solder-jointed borders and stamped silver hallmarks.

How do you identify authentic Victorian sterling silver caskets?

Authentic pieces carry a set of British hallmarked stamps, which include the lion passant for sterling silver purity, an assay office symbol, a specific date letter, and a registered makers mark.

How can an antique silver casket be styled in a modern interior?

An antique silver casket functions as a decorative accent on a bedside table, dressing table, or hallway console, serving both as an object of interest and practical storage for small personal items.

What is the recommended care routine for antique sterling silver?

Maintain sterling silver by dusting with a clean microfibre cloth and applying specialist silver polish cream sparingly to remove tarnish, avoiding abrasive sponges or submersion in harsh chemical baths.

for sale €1,580 $1,715

£1,350

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Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Casket by William Comyns & Sons 1898

Name: Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Casket by William Comyns & Sons 1898
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1060525
Price: 1350 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Regent Antiques

Description

This is an elegant antique Victorian sterling silver casket with hallmarks for London, 1898 and the makers marks of the renowned silversmith William Comyns & Sons.

The shaped casket feaures a hinged cover with repousse Reynolds Angels portrait and gilded underside, enclosing a blue cushioned lined interior, with figural cartouche decoration to the sides.

The quality and craftsmanship throughout are truly second to none.

Condition:

In excellent condition with clear hallmarks and no dings, dents or signs of repair. Please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 8 cm x Width 21 cm x Depth 18 cm

Weight 0.72 kg

Dimensions in inches:

Height 3 inches x Width 8 inches x Depth 7 inches

Weight 1.6 lbs

William Comyns (1885 - 1930)

This important firm of manufacturing silversmiths was established by William Comyns c. 1859 when he purchased the business of Robert Tagg, Robert Tagg moved in 1857 to his new residence and manufactory at 2 Carlise Street, Soho Square.

William Comyns, thereafter listed as a silversmith, appears to have purchased the business in 1858 or early 1859, entering his first marks from the first same address. He moved to 1 Percy Mews, Rathbone Place, the to 16 Silver Street, Golden Square, Soho, and subsequently to Beak Street, Regent Street. These premised were later expanded to 41, 43, and 45 Beak street and to 41, 43, 45, 47 Beak Street. Additional premises were taken from c. 1903 at 54 Marshall Street, Soho.

The style of the firm was changed to William Comyns & Son c. 1885 when William Comyn's two sons, Charles Harling Comyns and Richard Harling Comyns were admitted to their partnership. William Comyns died in January 1916, and C.H. Comyns while attending a sale in Christie's in 1925.

William Comyns first appears to have made a significant impact in the early 1880s by supplying increasingly large numbers of decorative wares in silver, many of which were die-stamped. London retailers of their products at this period included Henry Lewis, Howell & James Ltd., etcetera.

The business was incorporated as limited liability company as William Comyn's & Sons Ltd., registered on 20th October 1930, with R.H. Comyns as permanent governing director. Upon the latter's death in 1953, when the firm is said to have lost its former prominence, William Comyns & Sons Ltd was purchased by Bernard Copping.

Our reference: A3845

Physical Dimensions

Height

8cm (3.15")

Width

21cm (8.27")

Depth

18cm (7.09")

Declaration

Regent Antiques has dated this Victorian Sterling Silver Casket to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1060525

Dealers Internal Reference

A3845

Description

This is an elegant antique Victorian sterling silver casket with hallmarks for London, 1898 and the makers marks of the renowned silversmith William Comyns & Sons.

“

The shaped casket feaures a hinged cover with repousse Reynolds Angels portrait and gilded underside, enclosing a blue cushioned lined interior, with figural cartouche decoration to the sides.

Regent Antiques

fig 1. A rectangular sterling silver casket featuring relief repousse cherub heads on the hinged lid and scrollwork along the flared base. — fig 1. Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Casket by William Comyns & Sons 1898

The quality and craftsmanship throughout are truly second to none.

Condition:

In excellent condition with clear hallmarks and no dings, dents or signs of repair. Please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

fig 2. A rectangular sterling silver casket featuring relief repousse cherub heads on the hinged lid and scrollwork along the flared base. — fig 2. Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Casket by William Comyns & Sons 1898

Height 8 cm x Width 21 cm x Depth 18 cm

Weight 0.72 kg

Dimensions in inches:

Height 3 inches x Width 8 inches x Depth 7 inches

Weight 1.6 lbs

William Comyns (1885 - 1930)

This important firm of manufacturing silversmiths was established by William Comyns c. 1859 when he purchased the business of Robert Tagg, Robert Tagg moved in 1857 to his new residence and manufactory at 2 Carlise Street, Soho Square.

fig 3. A rectangular sterling silver casket featuring relief repousse cherub heads on the hinged lid and scrollwork along the flared base. — fig 3. Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Casket by William Comyns & Sons 1898

William Comyns, thereafter listed as a silversmith, appears to have purchased the business in 1858 or early 1859, entering his first marks from the first same address. He moved to 1 Percy Mews, Rathbone Place, the to 16 Silver Street, Golden Square, Soho, and subsequently to Beak Street, Regent Street. These premised were later expanded to 41, 43, and 45 Beak street and to 41, 43, 45, 47 Beak Street. Additional premises were taken from c. 1903 at 54 Marshall Street, Soho.

fig 4. A rectangular sterling silver casket featuring relief repousse cherub heads on the hinged lid and scrollwork along the flared base. — fig 4. Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Casket by William Comyns & Sons 1898

The style of the firm was changed to William Comyns & Son c. 1885 when William Comyn's two sons, Charles Harling Comyns and Richard Harling Comyns were admitted to their partnership. William Comyns died in January 1916, and C.H. Comyns while attending a sale in Christie's in 1925.

fig 5. A rectangular sterling silver casket featuring relief repousse cherub heads on the hinged lid and scrollwork along the flared base. — fig 5. Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Casket by William Comyns & Sons 1898

William Comyns first appears to have made a significant impact in the early 1880s by supplying increasingly large numbers of decorative wares in silver, many of which were die-stamped. London retailers of their products at this period included Henry Lewis, Howell & James Ltd., etcetera.

fig 6. A rectangular sterling silver casket featuring relief repousse cherub heads on the hinged lid and scrollwork along the flared base. — fig 6. Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Casket by William Comyns & Sons 1898

The business was incorporated as limited liability company as William Comyn's & Sons Ltd., registered on 20th October 1930, with R.H. Comyns as permanent governing director. Upon the latter's death in 1953, when the firm is said to have lost its former prominence, William Comyns & Sons Ltd was purchased by Bernard Copping.

Our reference: A3845