Search 0
47,520  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY • 35 ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAYNEW ARRIVALS
Sorted by
Per page
JOIN AS A SELLER DEALER LOGIN
Selling Antiques Logo
0
Saved
GIFTS
35 ITEMS ADDED TODAY
Home
Return
Dealer Login
500+ Shops
Dealers
Newly Added
0
Saved
Antiques dealer?
Join as a Seller
Sort Order
Items Per Page
sellingantiques.co.uk
Browse Categories
Sort order
Relevant Links
Items per page
ID #SA416818
FOR SALE
£595
Email Phone Buy
Save
Stunning Antique English Tortoise Shell and Sterling Silver String or Twine Box
For sale by Puckerings
for sale €696     $756
£595
Puckerings

Puckerings

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2009
Browse dealers 399 items
  • About Us
    A quality online collection of fine english antique smalls with free worldwide shipping from london, england
↓ Relevant Links
Id #SA416818
PDF SHARE
SAVE

Stunning Antique English Tortoise Shell and Sterling Silver String or Twine Box

1900 - 1920
For Sale by Puckerings
Description

An exceptional quality and most unusual string or twine dispenser made from a gorgeous piece of period tortoiseshell with a good patina and lovely markings.

All the fittings are made from a good gauge of English sterling silver, hallmarked for London 1902, Edwardian in era. The makers initials are also present for the silversmith's, Henry John & Albert Edward Batson.

Superb undamaged condition standing 3 1/2" tall with a diameter measuring 2 1/2".

Item: 38933

FREE Worldwide Registered Delivery Directly From London, England

Physical Dimensions
Height
8cm (3.15")
Width
6cm (2.36")
Depth
6cm (2.36")
Declaration

Puckerings has dated this Tortoiseshell Silver String Box to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA416818
Dealers Internal Reference
38933
Dealers Notes

FREE Worldwide Shipping Directly From London, England

Description
An exceptional quality and most unusual string or twine dispenser made from a gorgeous piece of period tortoiseshell with a good patina and lovely markings.
“
All the fittings are made from a good gauge of English sterling silver, hallmarked for London 1902, Edwardian in era.
Puckerings

The makers initials are also present for the silversmith's, Henry John & Albert Edward Batson.

Superb undamaged condition standing 3 1/2" tall with a diameter measuring 2 1/2".

Item: 38933

FREE Worldwide Registered Delivery Directly From London, England

Height
8cm (3.15")
Width
6cm (2.36")
Depth
6cm (2.36")
Date of Manufacture

Puckerings has dated this Tortoiseshell Silver String Box to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA416818
Dealers Internal Ref
38933
Puckerings
Puckerings
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2009

A quality online collection of fine english antique smalls with free worldwide shipping from london, england

Dealer Profile

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

PDF SHARE
SAVE
An antique cylindrical dark brown tortoiseshell string box featuring hallmarked sterling silver mounts, decorative scrolls, silver bun feet, and a top dispenser finial.
1 / 6
Archive I An antique cylindrical dark brown tortoiseshell string box featuring hallmarked sterling silver mounts, decorative scrolls, silver bun feet, and a top dispenser finial.

Stunning Antique English Tortoise Shell and Sterling Silver String or Twine Box

Archive II An antique cylindrical dark brown tortoiseshell string box featuring hallmarked sterling silver mounts, decorative scrolls, silver bun feet, and a top dispenser finial. View II
Archive III An antique cylindrical dark brown tortoiseshell string box featuring hallmarked sterling silver mounts, decorative scrolls, silver bun feet, and a top dispenser finial. View III
Archive IV An antique cylindrical dark brown tortoiseshell string box featuring hallmarked sterling silver mounts, decorative scrolls, silver bun feet, and a top dispenser finial. View IV
Archive V An antique cylindrical dark brown tortoiseshell string box featuring hallmarked sterling silver mounts, decorative scrolls, silver bun feet, and a top dispenser finial. View V
Archive VI An antique cylindrical dark brown tortoiseshell string box featuring hallmarked sterling silver mounts, decorative scrolls, silver bun feet, and a top dispenser finial. View VI
Enlarged Archival View
Puckerings

Puckerings
Telephone 07853 189 922
Location
London
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/puckerings
Verified Since Jul 2009
Items For Sale 399
Items Sold 7,621
Puckerings
Puckerings
Verified Since Jul 2009
View Dealer Info
Location: London, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/puckerings
Verified
Jul 2009
For Sale
399
Sold
7,621
An antique cylindrical dark brown tortoiseshell string box featuring hallmarked sterling silver mounts, decorative scrolls, silver bun feet, and a top dispenser finial.
Stunning Antique English Tortoise Shell and Sterling Silver String or Twine Box
Ref: SA416818
An antique cylindrical dark brown tortoiseshell string box featuring hallmarked sterling silver mounts, decorative scrolls, silver bun feet, and a top dispenser finial.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Archival Detail

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.

Secure Transit

Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.

The Sustainable Choice

Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDesk Accessories
  • Period1900 - 1920
  • StyleEdwardian
  • MaterialSterling Silver, Tortoiseshell
  • ColourDark Brown
  • MotifsScroll applique, Bun feet, Aperture finial, Silver rim mounts
  • SizeH 8 cm (3 in) x W 6 cm (2 in) x D 6 cm (2 in)

This Edwardian string or twine dispenser is an antique desk accessory from 1900. It is cylindrical in form and made from dark brown tortoiseshell, paired with solid sterling silver mounts, decorative scroll appliques, silver bun feet, and an aperture finial at the top. The polished surfaces show distinctive natural tortoise markings and a warm patina, complemented by crisp hallmarked silver bands around the middle and base, plus visible maker's marks and town hallmarks. Practical measurements are 8 cm high, 6 cm wide, and 6 cm deep. In a modern interior, this piece serves as a decorative storage item on an office desk, library table, or study bookcase. It holds a ball of twine or cord inside, dispensing the thread neatly through the central top aperture for everyday utility and display.

FAQs

An antique silver string box is a decorative container designed to hold a ball of twine or string, featuring a small hole or finial dispenser at the top to allow the thread to draw out cleanly without tangling.

19th and early 20th-century string boxes were frequently constructed from solid sterling silver, nickel plate, brass, or organic luxury materials such as dark tortoiseshell, ivory, and polished hardwoods.

Authentic British pieces feature official assay hallmarks stamped into the silver, indicating the purity, makers mark, location, and date letter. Genuine tortoiseshell displays characteristic irregular mottling and warm tone variations when inspected under natural light.

These small decorative objects can be integrated onto a writing desk, styled atop a stack of books on a coffee table, or displayed inside a glass cabinet alongside other silver collectables.

Clean the silver components carefully using a soft silver polishing cloth, taking care not to let chemical polishes touch the tortoiseshell. Keep the tortoiseshell away from direct heat sources and high humidity to prevent cracking and warping.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Period
Style
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Recently Added
Online Payments
Categories