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ID #SA1217533
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£850
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Victorian Silver Novelty Crocodile Skin Trunk Box, Birmingham 1899
Sandbanks Antiques
for sale €995     $1,080
£850
Sandbanks Antiques

Sandbanks Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2025
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    Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné
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Victorian Silver Novelty Crocodile Skin Trunk Box, Birmingham 1899

19th century
Description

Victorian Silver Novelty Crocodile Skin Trunk Box, Birmingham 1899

A masterfully executed, late Victorian novelty sterling silver box by the renowned silversmiths Cornelius Desormeaux Saunders & James Francis Hollings Shepherd.

Cleverly modelled as a miniature Gladstone travelling bag, this exquisite piece features a deeply chased, high-relief crocodile skin effect across the domed lid and body, accented by a vacant oval cartouche to the front. Complete with a hinged overhead swing handle and raised on four bun feet, the lid opens to reveal its original, rich gilded interior. Crisp, untouched condition with exceptionally bold texturing, this is a premier piece of late 19th-century novelty silver boasting prestigious Bonhams auction provenance.

Maker: Cornelius Desormeaux Saunders & James Francis Hollings Shepherd (CS★FS)

Origin: Birmingham, 1899

Dimensions: Length 4.5 cm | Height 3.5 cm

Weight: 35 grams

Provenance: Ex-Bonhams, Lot 520

The G. S May Esquire Private Collection, London

Declaration

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Victorian Silver Trunk Box to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1217533
Description
Victorian Silver Novelty Crocodile Skin Trunk Box, Birmingham 1899
“
A masterfully executed, late Victorian novelty sterling silver box by the renowned silversmiths Cornelius Desormeaux Saunders & James Francis Hollings Shepherd.
Sandbanks Antiques
fig 1. A late Victorian sterling silver novelty box crafted in the form of a miniature trunk with embossed crocodile skin texture and a top carrying handle.
fig 1. Victorian Silver Novelty Crocodile Skin Trunk Box, Birmingham 1899

Cleverly modelled as a miniature Gladstone travelling bag, this exquisite piece features a deeply chased, high-relief crocodile skin effect across the domed lid and body, accented by a vacant oval cartouche to the front. Complete with a hinged overhead swing handle and raised on four bun feet, the lid opens to reveal its original, rich gilded interior. Crisp, untouched condition with exceptionally bold texturing, this is a premier piece of late 19th-century novelty silver boasting prestigious Bonhams auction provenance.

fig 2. A late Victorian sterling silver novelty box crafted in the form of a miniature trunk with embossed crocodile skin texture and a top carrying handle.
fig 2. Victorian Silver Novelty Crocodile Skin Trunk Box, Birmingham 1899

Maker: Cornelius Desormeaux Saunders & James Francis Hollings Shepherd (CS★FS)

Origin: Birmingham, 1899

Dimensions: Length 4.5 cm | Height 3.5 cm

Weight: 35 grams

Provenance: Ex-Bonhams, Lot 520

The G. S May Esquire Private Collection, London

Date of Manufacture

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Victorian Silver Trunk Box to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1217533
Sandbanks Antiques
Sandbanks Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2025

Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Sandbanks Antiques Profile Page

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A late Victorian sterling silver novelty box crafted in the form of a miniature trunk with embossed crocodile skin texture and a top carrying handle.
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Archive I A late Victorian sterling silver novelty box crafted in the form of a miniature trunk with embossed crocodile skin texture and a top carrying handle.

Victorian Silver Novelty Crocodile Skin Trunk Box, Birmingham 1899

Archive II A late Victorian sterling silver novelty box crafted in the form of a miniature trunk with embossed crocodile skin texture and a top carrying handle. View II
Archive III A late Victorian sterling silver novelty box crafted in the form of a miniature trunk with embossed crocodile skin texture and a top carrying handle. View III
Archive IV A late Victorian sterling silver novelty box crafted in the form of a miniature trunk with embossed crocodile skin texture and a top carrying handle. View IV
Archive V A late Victorian sterling silver novelty box crafted in the form of a miniature trunk with embossed crocodile skin texture and a top carrying handle. View V
Archive VI A late Victorian sterling silver novelty box crafted in the form of a miniature trunk with embossed crocodile skin texture and a top carrying handle. View VI
Archive VII A late Victorian sterling silver novelty box crafted in the form of a miniature trunk with embossed crocodile skin texture and a top carrying handle. View VII
Archive VIII A late Victorian sterling silver novelty box crafted in the form of a miniature trunk with embossed crocodile skin texture and a top carrying handle. View VIII
Archive IX A late Victorian sterling silver novelty box crafted in the form of a miniature trunk with embossed crocodile skin texture and a top carrying handle. View IX
Archive X A late Victorian sterling silver novelty box crafted in the form of a miniature trunk with embossed crocodile skin texture and a top carrying handle. View X
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Sandbanks Antiques

Sandbanks Antiques
Telephone 07889 139677
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Sandbanks
Poole
Dorset
United Kingdom

By appointment only in Poole or London.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/sandbanks
Verified Since Jan 2025
Items For Sale 174
Items Sold 79
Sandbanks Antiques
Sandbanks Antiques
Verified Since Jan 2025
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Location: Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom, , By appointment only in Poole or London.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/sandbanks
Verified
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A late Victorian sterling silver novelty box crafted in the form of a miniature trunk with embossed crocodile skin texture and a top carrying handle.
Victorian Silver Novelty Crocodile Skin Trunk Box, Birmingham 1899
Ref: SA1217533
A late Victorian sterling silver novelty box crafted in the form of a miniature trunk with embossed crocodile skin texture and a top carrying handle.
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FAQs

Victorian novelty silver refers to sterling silver decorative and functional objects produced during the late nineteenth century that mimicked everyday items, luggage, animals, or whimsical forms.

These boxes were constructed from sterling silver using casting, embossing, or repousse techniques to create detailed textures such as faux crocodile hide, fitted with functional hinges and handles.

Authentic British silver items feature official assay office hallmarks, including the sterling lion passant, a date letter, a town mark such as the Birmingham anchor, and a makers mark.

Place the piece on an office desk, coffee table, or bookshelf to serve as a functional trinket container or a metallic accent object.

Clean silver gently with a soft, lint-free cloth and a specialised silver polish, avoiding abrasive materials that can wear down detailed surface textures and hallmarks.
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