Birmingham silver snuff box - any idea whodunnit?

I found this in an estate sale. It has to be a snuff box, it's 1 3/8 x 2 inches. There's a Victoria reign mark inside and the anchor. The good part about the box is it's never been engraved. The maker's initials look like AT; it's the same mark on both sides. The date letter seems to be a T that doesn't match up with the monarch's profile. Does anyone know when this was done?

 

Hooooow sweet.

 

The designs on the whole box have been hand engraved or did you mean no owners initials?

 

no owners initials?

 

I agree with A.T for Alfred Taylor, but the date letter looks like an I to me, for 1857-58. The extension which makes it look like a J is just a small blob, I think.

 

Nice box, Ruth! I am wondering, though, what it looks like inside. Could be a card case or vinaigrette.

 

it's 1 3/8 x 2 inches..........I'd say snuff box too.
but seeing the inside will tell....

 

My 2X greatgrandfather's early 1800's vinaigrette is 1 3/4 in by 1 in.

 

so 2 inches would be too large...right?

 

I don't really know that for sure. It's bigger on one side but smaller on the other. And I don't think there was a standard size - not to mention they are significantly different in age.

 

Snuff,pills,vinaigrette... there were many shapes,sizes and uses for whatever the owner desired. https://www.carters.com.au/index.cfm/index/6391-snuff-boxes-silver-and-silver-plate/?page=2

 

seeing inside would help rule out a stamp box.....imo..

 

Sweet!

 

The box isn't engraved with any initials. That "I" kept making me think it was a T, which made zero sense combined with a Victoria reign mark. It's not a vesta for sure - no scratch plate or any signs of one. It feels more like a snuff box to me than anything else, but ... dunno.

 

Not gilt inside?

 

Nope, and no signs it ever was. There are traces of silver polish in the corners, and the dealer I got this from is fairly clueless, so... who knows.

 

EBoo will soon see this, come October. I'd never use it for anything but collecting dust anyway.

 

Nice find! I hope you do well with it.

 

Thanks. Me too.