Jeff Sims Antiques has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
Personal hygiene was not a matter of great concern in former times, but anticipating breath fresheners and mouthwash peppermint boxes appear to have had enduring popularity. Created to be carried with you, these lovely little silver boxes would have been for peppermints or comfits.

This most unusual and early example is in the form of a fruit basket. The tapering body has reeded and geometric engraving and the hinged lid features mounded fruit. There is a barley-twist swing handle and the basket is marked to the body and the lid. A rare and collectable item of early European silver. Dimensions below.

Postage and packing :- £8.00 UK
£16.00 Europe
£22.00 Outside Europe
Condition :- Excellent with no dents, holes or splits. The lid closes well, but there is a minor area of gapping to one side, commensurate with age and use.
Hallmarks :- Maker's mark (untraced), fineness mark and date letter.
Origin :- Netherlands.
Date :- 1838.
Height :- 6.3 cms.
Depth :- 3.3 cms.
Width :- 5 cms.
Jeff Sims Antiques has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
Specialists in antique silver, glassware and objects of vertu
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