Mappin and Webb Box
These pieces of mappin and webb box encompass fitted dressing items and silver smoking wares that bring enduring practicality to daily storage.
Mappin and Webb Box
When you examine a mappin and webb box, you encounter forms designed for tobacco, biscuits, jewellery and dressing tables. The selection ranges from Victorian campaign writing desks to Art Deco table pieces and Edwardian tea canisters.
You will frequently meet silver and silver-plated receptacles alongside timber constructions lined in velvet, silk and leatherette. These items served households as secure containers for dry goods, valuables and personal accessories.
Materials and construction
Makers utilised sterling silver, silver plate, brass and oak as the structural basis for these receptacles. Timber pieces often incorporate satinwood, burr walnut and cedar wood linings to protect the contents.
Interiors frequently feature fitted compartments lined with velvet, silk or leatherette. Metal components display hallmarks, piercing, engraving and solid hinges designed for daily use.
Mappin and Webb Box Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for mappin and webb 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.
Materials recorded on this site include sterling silver, silver plate, oak, velvet, silk and brass.
Factors that define quality
Quality rests on the weight of the metal and the precision of the interior fittings. Solid silver and heavy oak bodies demonstrate superior craftsmanship compared to plated alternatives.
The complexity of the form dictates distinction, such as bombe shapes, locking mechanisms and fern engraving. Original fitted linings and intact maker marks elevate the standing of a piece.
Mappin and Webb
The Mappin and Webb Box Glossary
- Hallmark
- An official stamp applied to precious metals to indicate standard of purity, place of assay and year. These marks provide the primary evidence for dating silver.
- Campaign box
- A portable container made for travel, typically featuring brass corners and flush handles. These utilitarian pieces allowed officers to transport writing materials and valuables on expeditions.
- Tobacco box
- A lidded receptacle designed to keep leaf or cut tobacco fresh. Examples often include squeeze mechanisms or cedar linings to preserve moisture.
- Biscuit box
- A large container utilised for storing biscuits or dry foodstuffs on the dining table. Victorian and Edwardian iterations frequently incorporate hinged lids and engraved decoration.
Mappin and Webb Box: Frequently Asked Questions
What metals appear on these boxes?
Sterling silver and silver plate form the primary metal components across the collection. Brass mounts also appear on campaign writing desks and wooden cases.
Assay office marks and date letters stamped into the silver help identify the exact year of manufacture.
How were tobacco boxes used?
Smokers utilised tobacco boxes to store loose leaf and keep it from drying out. Squeeze mechanisms allowed quick opening and closing during daily use.
Cedar wood linings inside the boxes helped preserve the aroma and moisture of the contents.
What periods do these pieces span?
The inventory encompasses Victorian, Edwardian, George V, George VI and Art Deco eras. Pieces range from late nineteenth-century campaign items to mid-twentieth-century condiment sets and boxes.
Stylistic shifts reflect changing tastes from ornate engraving to clean geometric lines.
How do I care for silver boxes?
Gentle cleaning with a soft cloth removes dust without wearing down the silver surface or engravings. Avoid abrasive polishes that damage hallmarks and delicate details.
Keep wooden and lined interiors away from damp environments to protect silk, velvet and leatherette.