What is the history of Georgian silver gilt snuff boxes?

Snuff boxes were essential personal accessories in eighteenth and early nineteenth-century Europe, designed to hold powdered tobacco. Silver gilt boxes, which feature sterling silver washed with a layer of gold, were created as luxury items representing high social standing during the Georgian era.

What materials and techniques were used to craft antique silver gilt boxes?

These boxes were constructed from sterling silver and gilded using mercury fire-gilding, also known as vermeil. Decorative elements were typically executed using repousse, chasing, or engine-turning techniques to form detailed mythological or floral designs.

How do you identify authentic Georgian silver from London?

Authentic London pieces feature hallmark stamps, including the lion passant for sterling purity, a leopards head for London, a specific date letter, the makers initials, and often a sovereigns head duty mark introduced in 1784.

How can an antique snuff box be styled in a modern interior?

Small antique metalwork items function well as accent pieces when placed atop a stack of books on an office desk, arranged within a glass display cabinet, or styled on a valet tray in a dressing room.

How should silver gilt metalwork be cleaned and preserved?

Silver gilt surfaces require careful handling, as aggressive polishing can wear away the delicate layer of gold. Dust gently with a dry, soft microfibre cloth and avoid silver dips or abrasive chemical cleaners.

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Antique Georgian Silver Gilt Snuff Box Scene of Venus - London 1810

Name: Antique Georgian Silver Gilt Snuff Box Scene of Venus - London 1810
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1197218
Price: 4500 GBP
Availability: InStock

18th century

For Sale by Artisan Antiques

Description

We are delighted to offer this magnificent Georgian solid silver gilt snuff box made in London 1810, by Thomas Phipps & Edward Robinson.

This snuff box presents majestic and spectacular traits on all fronts and is an exemplary piece. Although inconceivable through photos, the heft, quality and gauge of silver upon handling in person is exceptional. Weighing in at 177 grams, the box almost feels like it is a bar of silver, offering an exceptionally reassuring feel in hand.

The top scene presents a classical mythological scene of Venus (Venus on the Waves) with embossed, chased and finely stippled decoration. Its superfluous artistry and craftsmanship is further elevated by its distinguished and intricate style of decoration.

During the Georgian period, Venus was revered in art and literature as the Roman goddess of love, beauty, fertility, and sexuality. Symbolised by refined beauty, desire, and romantic intrigue, Venus was frequently depicted in idyllic, classical settings and emerging from the sea to embody artistic ideals of femininity.

The figures are raised with a very lifelike and soft texture, yet with a crisp outline as if to imitate a lifelike skin texture. Its surrounding textures and embellishments feature a combination of flat-chased waves, robes and engraved cross-hatching to further separate and contrast its foreground. A closer look at the mythological dolphin or the movement in the cloth behind Venus further reveals the level of detailing and is a true testament to the finest craftsmanship and of the Georgian period.

Unmissably golden and striking, its entirety has also been silver gilt (gold on top of solid silver) which not only amplifies its splendour but also protects the silver from tarnishing with the content held within.

An additional point of detail is its base and sides which have been engine turned. Such extensive decoration, even on parts that would not be visible, is a perfect representation of the attention to detail and 'no cost cut' earnestness of fine Georgian craftsmanship.

Overall, an exemplary snuff box with each element finished to the highest degree. Ideal for box collections or a single impressive accent piece for the discerning box lover. Furthermore, it may also be used for practical storage of snuff, mints, medication etc.

A full set of English hallmarks is present on the base of the box.

*Please note: all images with other items are for display purposes only, this listing is for the title item only.

Size

Size (cm) H:9.3cm W:6.6cm D:1.8cm

Size (inches) H:3.66 W:2.59 D:0.70

Weight: 177 grams (5.70 Troy oz) total.

Condition

Excellent Condition - The snuff box remains in excellent antique condition, with no major damage or issues. Very slight surface wear commensurate with age with crisp decorations/engine-turning. The box has a tight and smooth closure.

We aim to overemphasise and state these issues to avoid disappointment and thus please rest assured they are not significant nor affect the usage of the items.

Please refer to the photographs to examine the condition in further detail.

Free Shipping

Artisan Antiques offers free global shipping with professional, secure and discreet packaging.

We will always ensure your items are packaged with the utmost care and see the delivery through to the end. In the very rare and unfortunate case of non-delivery/courier loss, you are fully covered with us and we will fully refund you.

*All parcels are insured - please rest assured all shipping liabilities other than import/customs duty are covered by Artisan Antiques.

*Colours of the product may slightly differ from the photos due to different computer screens & lighting conditions*

- Price negotiations may be possible under certain criteria, please contact us via telephone (07578761640) or email (info@artisanantiques.net) -

Declaration

Artisan Antiques has dated this Georgian Silver Gilt Snuff Box to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1197218

Dealers Notes

We strive to provide inimitable first-class service with your needs and satisfaction as our number one priority.

Description

We are delighted to offer this magnificent Georgian solid silver gilt snuff box made in London 1810, by Thomas Phipps & Edward Robinson.

This snuff box presents majestic and spectacular traits on all fronts and is an exemplary piece.

“

Although inconceivable through photos, the heft, quality and gauge of silver upon handling in person is exceptional.

Artisan Antiques

Weighing in at 177 grams, the box almost feels like it is a bar of silver, offering an exceptionally reassuring feel in hand.

fig 1. An oval Georgian silver-gilt snuff box featuring a relief scene of Venus surrounded by attendants and sea creatures on the lid. — fig 1. Antique Georgian Silver Gilt Snuff Box Scene of Venus - London 1810

The top scene presents a classical mythological scene of Venus (Venus on the Waves) with embossed, chased and finely stippled decoration. Its superfluous artistry and craftsmanship is further elevated by its distinguished and intricate style of decoration.

fig 2. An oval Georgian silver-gilt snuff box featuring a relief scene of Venus surrounded by attendants and sea creatures on the lid. — fig 2. Antique Georgian Silver Gilt Snuff Box Scene of Venus - London 1810

During the Georgian period, Venus was revered in art and literature as the Roman goddess of love, beauty, fertility, and sexuality. Symbolised by refined beauty, desire, and romantic intrigue, Venus was frequently depicted in idyllic, classical settings and emerging from the sea to embody artistic ideals of femininity.

fig 3. An oval Georgian silver-gilt snuff box featuring a relief scene of Venus surrounded by attendants and sea creatures on the lid. — fig 3. Antique Georgian Silver Gilt Snuff Box Scene of Venus - London 1810

The figures are raised with a very lifelike and soft texture, yet with a crisp outline as if to imitate a lifelike skin texture. Its surrounding textures and embellishments feature a combination of flat-chased waves, robes and engraved cross-hatching to further separate and contrast its foreground. A closer look at the mythological dolphin or the movement in the cloth behind Venus further reveals the level of detailing and is a true testament to the finest craftsmanship and of the Georgian period.

fig 4. An oval Georgian silver-gilt snuff box featuring a relief scene of Venus surrounded by attendants and sea creatures on the lid. — fig 4. Antique Georgian Silver Gilt Snuff Box Scene of Venus - London 1810

Unmissably golden and striking, its entirety has also been silver gilt (gold on top of solid silver) which not only amplifies its splendour but also protects the silver from tarnishing with the content held within.

fig 5. An oval Georgian silver-gilt snuff box featuring a relief scene of Venus surrounded by attendants and sea creatures on the lid. — fig 5. Antique Georgian Silver Gilt Snuff Box Scene of Venus - London 1810

An additional point of detail is its base and sides which have been engine turned. Such extensive decoration, even on parts that would not be visible, is a perfect representation of the attention to detail and 'no cost cut' earnestness of fine Georgian craftsmanship.

fig 6. An oval Georgian silver-gilt snuff box featuring a relief scene of Venus surrounded by attendants and sea creatures on the lid. — fig 6. Antique Georgian Silver Gilt Snuff Box Scene of Venus - London 1810

Overall, an exemplary snuff box with each element finished to the highest degree. Ideal for box collections or a single impressive accent piece for the discerning box lover. Furthermore, it may also be used for practical storage of snuff, mints, medication etc.

fig 7. An oval Georgian silver-gilt snuff box featuring a relief scene of Venus surrounded by attendants and sea creatures on the lid. — fig 7. Antique Georgian Silver Gilt Snuff Box Scene of Venus - London 1810

A full set of English hallmarks is present on the base of the box.

Please note: all images with other items are for display purposes only, this listing is for the title item only.

Size

Size (cm) H:9.3cm W:6.6cm D:1.8cm

fig 8. An oval Georgian silver-gilt snuff box featuring a relief scene of Venus surrounded by attendants and sea creatures on the lid. — fig 8. Antique Georgian Silver Gilt Snuff Box Scene of Venus - London 1810

Size (inches) H:3.66 W:2.59 D:0.70

Weight: 177 grams (5.70 Troy oz) total.

Condition

Excellent Condition - The snuff box remains in excellent antique condition, with no major damage or issues. Very slight surface wear commensurate with age with crisp decorations/engine-turning. The box has a tight and smooth closure.

fig 9. An oval Georgian silver-gilt snuff box featuring a relief scene of Venus surrounded by attendants and sea creatures on the lid. — fig 9. Antique Georgian Silver Gilt Snuff Box Scene of Venus - London 1810

We aim to overemphasise and state these issues to avoid disappointment and thus please rest assured they are not significant nor affect the usage of the items.

Please refer to the photographs to examine the condition in further detail.

fig 10. An oval Georgian silver-gilt snuff box featuring a relief scene of Venus surrounded by attendants and sea creatures on the lid. — fig 10. Antique Georgian Silver Gilt Snuff Box Scene of Venus - London 1810

Free Shipping

Artisan Antiques offers free global shipping with professional, secure and discreet packaging.

We will always ensure your items are packaged with the utmost care and see the delivery through to the end. In the very rare and unfortunate case of non-delivery/courier loss, you are fully covered with us and we will fully refund you.