What is a Victorian folding biscuit box?

Designed during the 19th century, a folding biscuit box is a specialised dining accessory engineered to hold baked goods at the table, featuring a dual-hinged mechanism that opens into two shell-like compartments.

What materials were traditionally used to make Victorian biscuit warmers?

These items were typically crafted from nickel silver or brass base metals coated with electroplated silver, often incorporating chased floral details, cast branch-like frames, and internal hinged grilles.

How do you identify authentic 19th-century silver-plated biscuit boxes?

Authentic pieces generally feature maker marks or registration stamps on the base or frame, alongside functional mechanical hinges and period-accurate engraving or chasing.

How can a silver biscuit box be styled in a modern interior?

Place the piece on a dining sideboard, console table, or drinks trolley as a decorative table centrepiece or unique container for packaged confectionery.

How should antique silver plate be cleaned and preserved?

Dust regularly with a soft cloth and polish gently using a specialised silver cream to remove oxidisation, avoiding abrasive cleaners that can strip the silver layer.

for sale €918 $997

£785

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Victorian Biscuit Box

Antique Silver Biscuit Box

Id #SA761422

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Antique Silver Plate Folding Sweets Biscuit Box the Alexander Clark 19th C

19th century

For Sale by Regent Antiques

Description

This is a truly superb and highly decorative Antique Victorian silver plated folding biscuit box, circa 1895 in date.

This splendid biscuit box was superbly executed by the renowned silversmiths, The Alexander Clark Manufacturing, London, in Welbeck Plate.

It features a rich floral and foliate engraved body sitting in a cast frame, with opulent interior hand-pierced dividers.

The opening mechanism is as intricate and distinguished as the shell decoration - it opens out into two halves and is held shut by gorgeous clasps at the top.

The underside bears the makers' marks 'THE ALEXr CLARK MANUFACTURING LONDON' and 'Welbeck Plate'.

This resplendent and princely biscuit box could house anything from your most delicious sweets to luxury biscuits or trinkets.

Whatever you choose to store in this lovely item you are sure to do it in style.

Condition:

In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 24 x Width 20 x Depth 14 - Folded

Height 24 x Width 20 x Depth 32 - Fully open

Dimensions in inches:

Height 9.4 x Width 7.9 x Depth 5.5 - Folded

Height 9.4 x Width 7.9 x Depth 12.6 - Fully open

The Alexander Clark Manufacturing

The business was established in 1891 by Clift Alexander Mawer Clark at 138 Fenchurch Street, London. Manufacturing premises were opened in 1894 at 29 Market Place, Oxford Street.

In 1900 the firm was active at Welbeck Works, Randall Street, Sheffield, transferring its activity to James Street Works, St. Paul's, Birmingham, in 1918.

The firm was active also at 29 Market Place, London (1894-1910), 188 Oxford Street, London (1900-1915), 125-126 Fernchurch Street, London (1909-1918), 38-40 Mitre Street, Aldgate, London (1921), 17 Sycamore Street, Sheffield (1921) and 38 Leadenhall Street, London (1941).

The partners were C.A.M. Clark, Louis Vernon Clark, Robert Fead Mosley and Robert Frederick Mosley (of R.F. Mosley & Co Ltd).

The firm was converted in 1912 into a limited liability company under the style of the Alexander Clark Co Ltd.

In 1912 the firm advertised its reproduction of silver historical pieces as the Tudor Bowl (period Henry VIII), the Tudor Cup, Antique Jug found on the excavations at Pompeii, Mediaeval Beaker (Henry VII, 1496).

In 1914 the Alexander Clark Manufacturing Co Ltd had 620 employees in the activities of silversmiths, cutlers, precious stone mounters and dressing bag manufacturers. It was specialised in the production of silver, "Welbeck Silver Plate" and electroplate, cutlery, fitted dressing cases and bags, high-class leather goods.

WELBECK was the trade mark used on silverplate production.

CHRONOLOGY:

Alexander Clark c. 1891 - c. 1898

The Alexander Clark Manufacturing Co c. 1898 - 1912

The Alexander Clark Co Ltd 1912 - 1940s

Our reference: 09934

Physical Dimensions

Height

24cm (9.45")

Width

20cm (7.87")

Depth

32cm (12.60")

Declaration

Regent Antiques has dated this Folding Silver Biscuit Box to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA761422

Dealers Internal Reference

09934

Description

This is a truly superb and highly decorative Antique Victorian silver plated folding biscuit box, circa 1895 in date.

“

This splendid biscuit box was superbly executed by the renowned silversmiths, The Alexander Clark Manufacturing, London, in Welbeck Plate.

Regent Antiques

fig 1. An antique silver-plated folding biscuit box featuring two chased shell-shaped compartments mounted on a cast faux-branch frame. — fig 1. Antique Silver Plate Folding Sweets Biscuit Box the Alexander Clark 19th C

It features a rich floral and foliate engraved body sitting in a cast frame, with opulent interior hand-pierced dividers.

The opening mechanism is as intricate and distinguished as the shell decoration - it opens out into two halves and is held shut by gorgeous clasps at the top.

fig 2. An antique silver-plated folding biscuit box featuring two chased shell-shaped compartments mounted on a cast faux-branch frame. — fig 2. Antique Silver Plate Folding Sweets Biscuit Box the Alexander Clark 19th C

The underside bears the makers' marks 'THE ALEXr CLARK MANUFACTURING LONDON' and 'Welbeck Plate'.

This resplendent and princely biscuit box could house anything from your most delicious sweets to luxury biscuits or trinkets.

fig 3. An antique silver-plated folding biscuit box featuring two chased shell-shaped compartments mounted on a cast faux-branch frame. — fig 3. Antique Silver Plate Folding Sweets Biscuit Box the Alexander Clark 19th C

Whatever you choose to store in this lovely item you are sure to do it in style.

Condition:

In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 24 x Width 20 x Depth 14 - Folded

fig 4. An antique silver-plated folding biscuit box featuring two chased shell-shaped compartments mounted on a cast faux-branch frame. — fig 4. Antique Silver Plate Folding Sweets Biscuit Box the Alexander Clark 19th C

Height 24 x Width 20 x Depth 32 - Fully open

Dimensions in inches:

Height 9.4 x Width 7.9 x Depth 5.5 - Folded

Height 9.4 x Width 7.9 x Depth 12.6 - Fully open

The Alexander Clark Manufacturing

The business was established in 1891 by Clift Alexander Mawer Clark at 138 Fenchurch Street, London. Manufacturing premises were opened in 1894 at 29 Market Place, Oxford Street.

fig 5. An antique silver-plated folding biscuit box featuring two chased shell-shaped compartments mounted on a cast faux-branch frame. — fig 5. Antique Silver Plate Folding Sweets Biscuit Box the Alexander Clark 19th C

In 1900 the firm was active at Welbeck Works, Randall Street, Sheffield, transferring its activity to James Street Works, St. Paul's, Birmingham, in 1918.

The firm was active also at 29 Market Place, London (1894-1910), 188 Oxford Street, London (1900-1915), 125-126 Fernchurch Street, London (1909-1918), 38-40 Mitre Street, Aldgate, London (1921), 17 Sycamore Street, Sheffield (1921) and 38 Leadenhall Street, London (1941).

fig 6. An antique silver-plated folding biscuit box featuring two chased shell-shaped compartments mounted on a cast faux-branch frame. — fig 6. Antique Silver Plate Folding Sweets Biscuit Box the Alexander Clark 19th C

The partners were C.A.M. Clark, Louis Vernon Clark, Robert Fead Mosley and Robert Frederick Mosley (of R.F. Mosley & Co Ltd).

The firm was converted in 1912 into a limited liability company under the style of the Alexander Clark Co Ltd.

fig 7. An antique silver-plated folding biscuit box featuring two chased shell-shaped compartments mounted on a cast faux-branch frame. — fig 7. Antique Silver Plate Folding Sweets Biscuit Box the Alexander Clark 19th C

In 1912 the firm advertised its reproduction of silver historical pieces as the Tudor Bowl (period Henry VIII), the Tudor Cup, Antique Jug found on the excavations at Pompeii, Mediaeval Beaker (Henry VII, 1496).

fig 8. An antique silver-plated folding biscuit box featuring two chased shell-shaped compartments mounted on a cast faux-branch frame. — fig 8. Antique Silver Plate Folding Sweets Biscuit Box the Alexander Clark 19th C

In 1914 the Alexander Clark Manufacturing Co Ltd had 620 employees in the activities of silversmiths, cutlers, precious stone mounters and dressing bag manufacturers. It was specialised in the production of silver, "Welbeck Silver Plate" and electroplate, cutlery, fitted dressing cases and bags, high-class leather goods.