Silver Purse Box
A silver purse box brings together pocket utility and fine metalwork, offering a neat solution for holding coins, sovereigns or cosmetics.
Silver Purse Box
When you search for a silver purse box, you encounter a specialised group of small containers designed for personal effects, spanning sovereign cases, compacts and vanity items. These objects date from the nineteenth century through to the Art Deco period, capturing changing social habits and accessories.
The pieces on this page lean heavily towards Edwardian sovereign holders and Art Deco compacts, reflecting both British assay office work and international design. You find heart shapes, shell forms and combination vanity cases equipped with mirrors and lipstick holders.
Origin details range from Birmingham hallmarks to Chinese export silver and French second empire gilt pieces. Each form serves a specific pocket or handbag function, from housing gold currency to carrying powder and mesh linings.
Materials and construction
Construction relies upon sterling silver and silver gilt, frequently paired with interior elements such as blue enamel, suede lining, glass and fine metal mesh. Metalwork techniques involve cast engine turning, which creates precise geometric surface patterns across compacts and cases.
Hinged lids, secure clasps and fitted compartments require careful bench assembly to ensure durability in daily use. Suede linings and original presentation boxes complete the manufacture of pieces designed to protect delicate cosmetics and coins.
Silver Purse Box Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for silver purse 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.
One nineteenth-century French piece takes the form of a shell, complete with its original box to keep the maritime illusion intact.
Assessing quality and finish
Quality rests upon the crispness of engine-turned decoration and the integrity of enamel work, where smooth surfaces and vibrant colour indicate skilled execution. The weight of the sterling silver and the precise closure of spring hinges separate standard items from finer examples.
Maker marks and clear assay office stamps provide tangible evidence of origin and standard, enhancing the standing of a piece. Original components like suede linings, mirrors and fitted boxes preserve the integrity of the object.
Aaron Lufkin Dennison·Evans
The Silver Purse Box Glossary
- Sterling silver
- A silver alloy containing 92.5 percent pure silver by mass and 7.5 percent other metals, usually copper. This standard forms the basis of British hallmarked sovereign cases and compacts.
- Sovereign case
- A small pocket container specifically engineered to hold one or two gold sovereign coins securely. These pieces often feature spring-loaded internal frames.
- Engine turned
- A decorative technique involving a machine that etches intricate geometric patterns into metal surfaces. This method appears widely on Art Deco compacts.
- Silver gilt
- Silver that has been coated with a thin layer of gold over its surface. Examples from the nineteenth century often utilise this technique for rich interior finishes.
Silver Purse Box: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a silver purse box used for?
These items served practical daily functions for Victorians and Edwardians carrying small valuables. They held gold sovereign coins, loose currency or cosmetic powder while travelling.
Over time, forms evolved from coin storage into combination vanity cases housing mirrors and lipsticks for social outings.
How do I date a silver purse box?
Dating relies heavily upon British hallmarking systems, which record assay office locations and specific year letters. Stylistic clues also help place an object within a definite era.
Art Deco pieces show geometric engine turning from nineteen-thirty, whereas Edwardian items feature floral engraving and nineteenth-century pieces often display shell or heart motifs.
Are these items made of solid silver?
Many items use sterling silver or silver metal, verified through traditional hallmarks stamped directly into the metal. Some international or French pieces utilise silver gilt over base metal.
Material descriptions specify whether a piece incorporates auxiliary substances like mesh, glass, enamel or fabric linings.
How should I care for a silver purse box?
Preserving the finish requires gentle cleaning with a soft cloth to avoid scratching engine-turned patterns or delicate enamel. Chemical dips should be avoided to protect interior suede and mirrors.
Store pieces in dry environments away from direct sunlight to maintain the condition of original fabric linings and hinges.