Chased Silver Table Box
A chased silver table box holds small treasures on a surface, bringing weight, shine, and intricate surface work to a room.
Chased Silver Table Box
When you search for a chased silver table box, you enter a field spanning the Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian eras, alongside continental pieces from around nineteen hundred. These items appear in forms such as snuff boxes, trinket boxes, jewellery caskets, and tea caddies, constructed to sit upon furniture surfaces.
The version most likely to meet you on this page is a solid sterling silver or silver-plated container, frequently detailed with floral borders or pictorial scenes. British examples display hallmarks from assay offices in London, Birmingham, and Chester, while continental European items also emerge among the selections.
Separating the ordinary from the exceptional
Quality rests upon the depth, clarity, and control of the hand-chased relief work across the lid and sides. Crisp, deeply punched botanical scrolls or pictorial scenes demand greater skill than shallow, machine-pressed patterning.
The weight of the silver and the structural integrity of the hinges and closures dictate the durability and feel of the piece. Well-fitted lids that close flush and heavy gauge metal indicate superior manufacturing.
Object forms include snuff boxes, trinket boxes, jewellery caskets, tea caddies, napkin rings, and figural animal models.
Joseph Willmore·Boaz Moses·William Neale & Sons·Edward Farrell·Nathaniel Mills·The Alexander Clark
The Chased Silver Table Box Glossary
- Chasing
- A metalsmithing technique where the artisan depresses the metal from the front with punches to create a raised, textured design on the exterior surface.
- Hallmark
- A stamped official mark on precious metals indicating the standard of purity, the assay office, and the year of manufacture.
- Casket
- A larger ornamental box, typically hinged and lined with velvet or silk, designed for storing jewellery or keepsakes.
- Snuff box
- A small lidded container historically used to hold powdered tobacco for inhalation.
- Sterling silver
- An alloy of silver containing 92.5 percent pure silver and 7.5 percent other metals, usually copper.
Chased Silver Table Box: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a chased silver table box?
A chased silver table box is a lidded container fashioned from silver and ornamented with raised metalwork hammered by hand. These items were placed on tables and desks to hold small valuables.
They appear in various forms, including snuff boxes, trinket boxes, and jewellery caskets, produced predominantly during the Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian periods.
How do I date a silver box?
Dating a silver box relies primarily on the stamps and hallmarks struck into the metal by official assay offices. These marks reveal the city of origin and the specific year of testing.
Stylistic indicators, such as Rococo Revival scrollwork or Edwardian proportions, provide additional context when hallmarks are absent or worn.
What were silver table boxes used for?
Silver table boxes served practical functions for storing high-status commodities and personal accessories. Common contents included dry snuff, tea leaves, or personal trinkets.
Over time, their roles shifted toward decorative display and the safekeeping of jewellery within domestic interiors.
How do I care for antique silver?
Antique silver requires gentle handling to preserve the integrity of the chased metalwork and any original interior linings. Dusting with a soft cloth prevents surface grime from accumulating.
Harsh chemical dips should be avoided, as they strip away the natural patination that builds up within the recessed details of the chased design.