What is the historical significance of a Georgian silver snuff box?

During the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, taking snuff was a popular social custom among European gentry. Intricately crafted silver snuff boxes served both as functional containers for powdered tobacco and as prominent social status symbols displayed during gatherings.

What materials and decorative techniques were used to create 19th-century silver snuff boxes?

These boxes were primarily crafted from sterling silver (.925 purity). Artisans employed techniques such as engine turning for geometric exterior textures, hand-chasing and repousse for floral borders, and gilding on the interior to prevent corrosion from tobacco moisture.

How do you identify authentic Georgian silver items?

Authentic British Georgian silver displays a complete set of official hallmarks stamped by an assay office. These include the sovereigns portrait duty mark, the lion passant for sterling silver purity, a makers mark, a town mark, and a specific date letter indicating the exact year of production.

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

Small antique silver boxes can be placed atop a stack of art books on a coffee table, displayed inside a curated cabinet of curiosities, or positioned on a writing desk to hold paperclips and desk accessories while adding historic texture to the room.

How should antique sterling silver be cleaned and preserved?

Silver should be lightly dusted with a soft, lint-free cloth and cleaned occasionally using a specialised silver polishing cloth or gentle liquid silver cleaner. Avoid harsh abrasive cleaners or immersion in water if gilding or delicate hinges are present.

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Antique Georgian Solid Silver Large Snuff Box Floral Chased Border - Joseph Willmore 1832

Name: Antique Georgian Solid Silver Large Snuff Box Floral Chased Border - Joseph Willmore 1832
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1219847
Price: 1250 GBP
Availability: InStock

18th century

For Sale by Artisan Antiques

Description

We are delighted to offer this fine & larger Georgian solid silver table snuff box made in Birmingham 1832, with marks for Joseph Willmore.

This box presents an array of exemplary and desirable traits of a Georgian snuff box. Although inconceivable through photos, the heft, quality and gauge of silver upon handling in person is exceptional. Weighing in at 214 grams, the box almost feels like it is a bar of silver, offering an exceptionally reassuring feel in hand.

The entire exterior is beautifully decorated with classical engine turning and the top lid featuring a profusely chased and engraved floral border. The border remains in very crisp condition and features a high relief and a three-dimensional effect with acanthus leaves and floral motifs. The ornate border creates space for a contrasting central section in which a mirror-finish has been left with a hand-engraved crest of a stag/ducal coronet and motto "JOVE PRESTAT FIDERE QUAM HOMINE".

Upon opening the lid (which has a very smooth and perfect closure), the interior has been richly gilt (gold on top of solid silver), which not only serves a wonderful aesthetic contrast to the exterior but also protects silver from tarnishing from the contents held within.

An additional point of detail is its base which has also been engine turned (with a cartouche with a later engraving). Such extensive decoration, even on a part 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 table 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 and lif 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:9.7cm W:7.2cm D:2.6cm

Size (inches) H:4.92 W:1.96 D:1.10

Weight: 214 grams (4.65 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 engine-turning.

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 Snuff Box to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1219847

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 fine & larger Georgian solid silver table snuff box made in Birmingham 1832, with marks for Joseph Willmore.

This box presents an array of exemplary and desirable traits of a Georgian snuff box.

“

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

Artisan Antiques

Weighing in at 214 grams, the box almost feels like it is a bar of silver, offering an exceptionally reassuring feel in hand.

fig 1. A rectangular sterling silver Georgian snuff box featuring a chased floral border, engine-turned detailing, and a central engraved crest. — fig 1. Antique Georgian Solid Silver Large Snuff Box Floral Chased Border - Joseph Willmore 1832

The entire exterior is beautifully decorated with classical engine turning and the top lid featuring a profusely chased and engraved floral border. The border remains in very crisp condition and features a high relief and a three-dimensional effect with acanthus leaves and floral motifs. The ornate border creates space for a contrasting central section in which a mirror-finish has been left with a hand-engraved crest of a stag/ducal coronet and motto "JOVE PRESTAT FIDERE QUAM HOMINE".

fig 2. A rectangular sterling silver Georgian snuff box featuring a chased floral border, engine-turned detailing, and a central engraved crest. — fig 2. Antique Georgian Solid Silver Large Snuff Box Floral Chased Border - Joseph Willmore 1832

Upon opening the lid (which has a very smooth and perfect closure), the interior has been richly gilt (gold on top of solid silver), which not only serves a wonderful aesthetic contrast to the exterior but also protects silver from tarnishing from the contents held within.

fig 3. A rectangular sterling silver Georgian snuff box featuring a chased floral border, engine-turned detailing, and a central engraved crest. — fig 3. Antique Georgian Solid Silver Large Snuff Box Floral Chased Border - Joseph Willmore 1832

An additional point of detail is its base which has also been engine turned (with a cartouche with a later engraving). Such extensive decoration, even on a part that would not be visible is a perfect representation of the attention to detail and 'no cost cut' earnestness of fine Georgian craftsmanship.

fig 4. A rectangular sterling silver Georgian snuff box featuring a chased floral border, engine-turned detailing, and a central engraved crest. — fig 4. Antique Georgian Solid Silver Large Snuff Box Floral Chased Border - Joseph Willmore 1832

Overall, an exemplary table 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 5. A rectangular sterling silver Georgian snuff box featuring a chased floral border, engine-turned detailing, and a central engraved crest. — fig 5. Antique Georgian Solid Silver Large Snuff Box Floral Chased Border - Joseph Willmore 1832

A full set of English hallmarks is present on the base and lif 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:9.7cm W:7.2cm D:2.6cm

fig 6. A rectangular sterling silver Georgian snuff box featuring a chased floral border, engine-turned detailing, and a central engraved crest. — fig 6. Antique Georgian Solid Silver Large Snuff Box Floral Chased Border - Joseph Willmore 1832

Size (inches) H:4.92 W:1.96 D:1.10

Weight: 214 grams (4.65 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 engine-turning.

fig 7. A rectangular sterling silver Georgian snuff box featuring a chased floral border, engine-turned detailing, and a central engraved crest. — fig 7. Antique Georgian Solid Silver Large Snuff Box Floral Chased Border - Joseph Willmore 1832

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 8. A rectangular sterling silver Georgian snuff box featuring a chased floral border, engine-turned detailing, and a central engraved crest. — fig 8. Antique Georgian Solid Silver Large Snuff Box Floral Chased Border - Joseph Willmore 1832

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.