silver snuff box, 800 silver german

here is my latest find.


https://www.antiquers.com/attachments/001-jpg.5041/?temp_hash=65717f16eb142ccb24371cabbcac6287

https://www.antiquers.com/attachments/002-jpg.5042/?temp_hash=65717f16eb142ccb24371cabbcac6287

https://www.antiquers.com/attachments/003-jpg.5043/?temp_hash=65717f16eb142ccb24371cabbcac6287

Bought at a car boot sale 8.45 am on a very dark wet morning for £4!

 

Does it have crown and crescent moon German mark?

I am wondering if it could be a compact?

Brave work to go car booting today given the weather this morning.

 

Hi, its unmarked except for 800 in an oval but i have seen identical pattern on ebay fully marked for German Seller is USA based and price is $164! his is in better condition than mine with no wear to the floral decoration on the sides. The Car boot was an indoor one but yes weather was horrendous. I don't think its a compact, the base is a cushion shape with flat lid,

 

Susie, I believe it is Italian and not German, as I believe mine is. Simply marked 800. Mine has the benefit of being dated. Not sure what to call it? Not wide enough for today's standard business or calling card, not wide enough for cigarettes, no mirror for a compact....?

 

When considering cigarettes, do remember that they used to be noticeably shorter, initially about 2 1/2 inches.later 3 inches, and with the advent of 'king size', 4 inches long.

 

As an aside - Eleanor Phelps was an actress; never did figure out who Kitty is/was.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Ele...OBiwLymYGQAg&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1252&bih=596

 

2 1/2 - 3" would fit.

 

Hi mine is a little bit different shape wise, wider at base than lid.

 

Hi mine is a little bit different shape wise, wider at base than lid.

 

2 3/4 inches x 2 1/4 inches is measurements across base, its 3/4 inch deep.

 

Susang, wild-eyed guess --- Kitty Carlisle??????

I guess you could use IMDB to see if they ever acted together.

Eleanor and Kitty were from the same era.

 

That was mine and everyone else's guess as well. I was never able to connect the two as friends, but I didn't dig too deep.

I was using it for folded cash, but it's a bit too narrow for credit cards and such. Back in the drawer it went!

 

Oh, sorry, I guess I missed that discussion. Was it at the "Other Place"????

 

Yes, it was. A Looooooog time ago.

 

Wait! I just looked again. Not just an 800, has another 800 in an oval and Italian National mark 1944-1960. Can't see the province or maker initials. Too small or worn.

 

Would be surprised to see German marks, it's not Italian either - Indian, probably from Rajasthan, the design and work is pretty typical. They often show up as 'antique', but doubt that they have any great age; come in various shapes, unmarked, or marked '800', '925', or 'Silver' as on the one I have...

~Cheryl

 

WOW....I have never questioned your word, and I don't now (your word is law to me), I would love to see an example? I have so much more to learn.

 

oh CHeryl, i am so disappointed, i thought this was a good one. As I said someone on Ebays got one in exact same design and listed as german. i'm away to change my listing.

 

Wasn't really commenting on whether it's a 'good one' or not, just that, other than a mark indicating .800 fineness, there is nothing that points to it as being from Germany, Italy or anywhere else in Europe - I'm rather fond of mine. Don't know if these were made for a particular purpose, but I've seen more than one with remnants of kumkum...

Keeping in mind that sales descriptions are often not particularly reliable reference, here is an unmarked box, showing a bit more recognizable 'Indian' motif (note similarity in the chasing, the striated background):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/141382661036?ru=http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=141382661036&_rdc=1

And another:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/251647717359?ru=http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40%7CR40&_sacat=0&_nkw=251647717359&_rdc=1

Similar work on a State Express 555 cigarette case, from a Rajasthan seller:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/110703362926?ru=http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=110703362926&_rdc=1

Another unmarked box, different form, the borders very similar to yours, coming from Rajasthan. 'Antique' silver from India is often offered by wholesalers (custom orders available), but this one does seem to show some wear and there's probably no real problem with their claim of 70-80 years old, making it mid 20th century - might question it being 'rare':
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271596985419?ru=http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=271596985419&_rdc=1

The lid of the box above has elements similar to some found on Rajasthani tribal jewelry:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/89244031/large-antique-indian-amulet-surya-sun?ref=sr_gallery_14&ga_search_query=rajasthan tribal pendant&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_page=4&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

Rajasthani taviz amulet bearing an '800' mark:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/171983584/pendant-india-rajasthan-silver-800?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_search_query=rajasthan 800&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

Despite being firmly identified as German, these boxes are also Indian:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/161353002675?ru=http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=161353002675&_rdc=1

http://www.ebay.com/itm/400751771189?ru=http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=400751771189&_rdc=1

http://www.ebay.com/itm/400738851066?ru=http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=400738851066&_rdc=1


My box is 2" x 1½", lid set with malachite, prick-engraved 'SILVER':








~Cheryl

 

Deserves a mega-like for the effort involved.