Christening Gift Box
A christening gift box holds silver sets, mugs and napkin rings lined in silk and velvet, marking a child's birth with lasting weight.
Christening Gift Box
A christening gift box gathers boxed silver sets, mugs and napkin rings from Victorian, Edwardian and mid-century periods. These presentations usually contain matched cutlery pieces or a single mug housed in a fitted case.
The most common examples on this page are Victorian sterling silver christening sets from the 1890s, often featuring fork and spoon combinations in leather or velvet-lined boxes. Edwardian napkin rings and later mid-century mugs also appear.
Makers such as R E Stone and Tiffany & Co contribute marked pieces to these selections. The form serves as both a practical utensil and a permanent keepsake.
How they were made
Makers shaped these items from sterling silver, employing traditional smithing techniques to form mugs, spoons and forks. Cases were constructed from leather or leatherette over rigid frames.
Interiors were lined with silk and velvet to cradle the silver securely. Natural bristle brushes sometimes accompany vanity sets within similar fitted compartments.
Christening Gift Box Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for christening gift box among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Natural bristle brushes occasionally hide inside these boxes, ready for a baby's first very tidy haircut.
What varies in quality
The distinction between standard and exceptional pieces rests in the maker's mark and the integrity of the fitted case. Recognised names command greater interest than unmarked equivalents.
Survival of the original silk and velvet lining in clean condition elevates the piece. The crispness of the silver chasing determines the visual success of the set.
R E Stone·Tiffany and Co
The Christening Gift Box Glossary
- Sterling silver
- A silver alloy containing 92.5 percent pure silver and 7.5 percent other metals, usually copper, ensuring durability for functional items. This standard is marked by hallmarks on the metal.
- Leatherette
- A imitation leather material utilised for exterior box coverings during the mid-century period. It offered a durable and uniform finish for presentation cases.
- Christening set
- A matched group of silver utensils, such as a fork and spoon, presented to an infant on their naming day. These sets are typically housed in fitted presentation boxes.
- Natural bristle
- Animal hair utilised in brushes found within matched vanity sets. It provides a firm texture distinct from synthetic alternatives.
Christening Gift Box: Frequently Asked Questions
What is inside a christening gift box?
These boxes typically contain sterling silver spoons, forks, mugs or napkin rings. Each piece rests in a fitted compartment lined with silk or velvet.
The exterior is usually constructed from leather or leatherette, protecting the silver contents during storage and transport.
How do I date a silver christening set?
Dating relies on the silver hallmarks stamped onto the metal of the spoons, mugs or napkin rings. These marks indicate the assay office, standard and year of manufacture.
Stylistic details such as Victorian engraving or Edwardian scrollwork also help determine the period of production.
Are these sets safe for daily use?
Silver christening items were originally made for functional use by children. Sterling silver is durable, though antique pieces require gentle hand washing rather than machine cleaning.
Many owners choose to display them within their original presentation boxes to preserve the silk and velvet linings.
Who made these boxed silver sets?
Production ranges from provincial silversmiths to major retailers and prominent makers such as Tiffany and Co and R E Stone. Maker marks appear directly on the silver components.
Cases were frequently manufactured by specialist box makers working alongside the silversmiths.