What is a Victorian silver table snuff box?

A Victorian silver table snuff box is a larger lidded container crafted from sterling silver, intended to sit on a dining table or desk to offer pulverised tobacco to guests. Originating in the nineteenth century, these objects often features intricate hand-engraving, engine turning, and decorative cartouche forms.

What materials and techniques characterise Victorian silver snuff boxes?

These boxes were constructed from sterling silver, often marked with standard British hallmarks indicating purity, maker, and date. Construction involved silversmithing techniques such as chase work, hand engraving, gilding on the interior to prevent corrosion, and flush-fitting thumbpieces and hinges.

How do you identify authentic mid-19th-century silver snuff boxes?

Authentic pieces carry official British assay office hallmarks stamped into the metal, usually on the rim, base, or inner lid. These stamps include the lion passant for sterling silver, a makers mark, a town mark, and a specific date letter corresponding to the exact year of production.

How can an antique silver table snuff box be styled in a contemporary interior?

An antique silver box functions well as a decorative desk accessory, trinket container on a bedside table, or layered object on a styled tray or bookshelf. Its polished finish and detailed surface texture complement modern minimalist and classic decor alike.

What is the correct way to clean and preserve antique sterling silver boxes?

Clean silver boxes gently using a specialized silver polishing cloth to remove tarnish while preserving delicate hand-engraved details. Avoid harsh liquid chemicals or abrasive polishes, store the piece in a dry environment to minimise oxidisation, and use soft brushes to clear dust from crevices.

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Edward Smith Silver

Antique Table Snuff Box

Hand Engraved Silver Box

Id #SA1219862

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Antique Solid Silver Table Snuff Box, Cartouche Shape and Engraved - Edward Smith 1854

Name: Antique Solid Silver Table Snuff Box, Cartouche Shape and Engraved - Edward Smith 1854
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1219862
Price: 1250 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Artisan Antiques

Description

We are delighted to offer this fabulous, large Victorian solid silver table snuff box made in Birmingham 1854, with marks for Edward Smith.

This box presents an array of exemplary and desirable traits of a quality Victorian snuff box. Although inconceivable through photos, the heft, quality and gauge of silver upon handling in person is exceptional. Weighing in at 191 grams, the box almost feels like it is a bar of silver, offering an exceptionally reassuring feel in hand.

It has been wonderfully shaped with curved corners and a cartouchelike shape; proportions being 'chunkier' than the norman and with an impressive presence. Each panel has been finely decorated with hand-engraved geometric and foliate motifs with small cartouches depicting scenes and figures.

Upon opening the lid (which has a very smooth and good closure), the interior has been richly gilt (gold on top of solid silver), which not only serves as 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 engraved - 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) L:8.5cm W:5.8cm H:3.5

Size (inches) H:3.34 W:2.28 D:1.37

Weight: 191 grams (6.14 Troy oz) total.

Condition

Good Condition - The snuff box remains in good antique condition, with no major damage or issues. A slight section of bruising/wear on the interior of the top lid, some minor pitting in the gilding and a very thin gap at the front upon closure. The lid does close securely, however.

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 Silver Table Snuff Box to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1219862

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 fabulous, large Victorian solid silver table snuff box made in Birmingham 1854, with marks for Edward Smith.

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

“

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

Artisan Antiques

Weighing in at 191 grams, the box almost feels like it is a bar of silver, offering an exceptionally reassuring feel in hand.

fig 1. A Victorian sterling silver table snuff box with shaped cartouche outlines, foliage engraving, and an architectural scene. — fig 1. Antique Solid Silver Table Snuff Box, Cartouche Shape and Engraved - Edward Smith 1854

It has been wonderfully shaped with curved corners and a cartouchelike shape; proportions being 'chunkier' than the norman and with an impressive presence. Each panel has been finely decorated with hand-engraved geometric and foliate motifs with small cartouches depicting scenes and figures.

fig 2. A Victorian sterling silver table snuff box with shaped cartouche outlines, foliage engraving, and an architectural scene. — fig 2. Antique Solid Silver Table Snuff Box, Cartouche Shape and Engraved - Edward Smith 1854

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

fig 3. A Victorian sterling silver table snuff box with shaped cartouche outlines, foliage engraving, and an architectural scene. — fig 3. Antique Solid Silver Table Snuff Box, Cartouche Shape and Engraved - Edward Smith 1854

An additional point of detail is its base which has also been engraved - 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 Victorian sterling silver table snuff box with shaped cartouche outlines, foliage engraving, and an architectural scene. — fig 4. Antique Solid Silver Table Snuff Box, Cartouche Shape and Engraved - Edward Smith 1854

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 Victorian sterling silver table snuff box with shaped cartouche outlines, foliage engraving, and an architectural scene. — fig 5. Antique Solid Silver Table Snuff Box, Cartouche Shape and Engraved - Edward Smith 1854

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) L:8.5cm W:5.8cm H:3.5

fig 6. A Victorian sterling silver table snuff box with shaped cartouche outlines, foliage engraving, and an architectural scene. — fig 6. Antique Solid Silver Table Snuff Box, Cartouche Shape and Engraved - Edward Smith 1854

Size (inches) H:3.34 W:2.28 D:1.37

Weight: 191 grams (6.14 Troy oz) total.

Condition

Good Condition - The snuff box remains in good antique condition, with no major damage or issues. A slight section of bruising/wear on the interior of the top lid, some minor pitting in the gilding and a very thin gap at the front upon closure. The lid does close securely, however.

fig 7. A Victorian sterling silver table snuff box with shaped cartouche outlines, foliage engraving, and an architectural scene. — fig 7. Antique Solid Silver Table Snuff Box, Cartouche Shape and Engraved - Edward Smith 1854

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 Victorian sterling silver table snuff box with shaped cartouche outlines, foliage engraving, and an architectural scene. — fig 8. Antique Solid Silver Table Snuff Box, Cartouche Shape and Engraved - Edward Smith 1854

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.