Collectable Silver Container
These collectable silver container pieces bring together pocket-sized ingenuity and precious metalwork from the Georgian, Victorian, and later periods.
Collectable Silver Container
A collectable silver container spans small functional objects designed for personal use, taking forms such as vesta cases, snuff boxes, nutmeg graters, and vinaigrettes.
Buyers will encounter items ranging from Georgian tobacco boxes and silver gilt vinaigrettes to Edwardian vesta cases and mid-century compacts.
Materials extend beyond plain metal to incorporate tortoiseshell, horn, velvet, ormolu, and vermeil alongside sterling silver.
Materials and construction
Silversmiths shaped sterling silver and silver gilt into hinged boxes and novelty forms, sometimes pairing the metal with organic materials like horn and tortoiseshell.
Interiors often relied on gilt washes, known as vermeil, or velvet linings to protect contents such as dry snuff or pills.
Decorative techniques combined traditional hallmarks and crest engraving with cast components like ormolu mounts.
Assessing quality and character
Quality rests on the crispness of the chasing, the snugness of the hinged lid, and the clarity of the Birmingham or London hallmarks.
Novelty items and pieces incorporating unusual materials like tortoiseshell or inset coins display greater ambition in design than standard boxes.
John Bettridge·Elkington and Co·Charles Horner·James Phipps I·Hermes Paris
The Collectable Silver Container Glossary
- Vesta case
- A small pocket container made to hold matches, typically fitted with a striking stripe on the base.
- Vinaigrette
- A small hinged box featuring an internal pierced grille, designed to hold a sponge soaked in aromatic vinegar.
- Snuff mull
- A traditional Scottish receptacle for ground tobacco, usually fashioned from ram horn mounted with silver.
- Silver gilt
- Sterling silver that has been coated with a thin layer of gold on its surface, creating a rich internal or external finish.
Collectable Silver Container: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a silver vesta case?
A silver vesta case is a small pocket-sized container designed to hold and protect safety matches. They typically feature a hinged lid and a striated surface on the base for striking.
Victorian and Edwardian examples often display ornate engraving or take whimsical novelty shapes, reflecting the popularity of smoking accessories during those eras.
How do I identify a Georgian silver box?
Georgian silver boxes date from the reigns of the Georges, spanning the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. They are identified through hallmarks, heavier gauge metal, and hand-chased ornamentation.
Pieces from this period frequently include functional items like nutmeg graters or large tobacco boxes adorned with family crests.
What is a snuff mull?
A snuff mull is a container used for holding dry snuff tobacco, with Scottish traditions heavily influencing their design. They are most commonly constructed from natural animal horn mounted with silver hardware.
The organic curve of the horn gives each mull a distinct sculptural quality separate from standard metal boxes.