Featured Silverplated Box with Dog - Made in Japan

Today I went to an "Antiques" sale at my favorite resale shop. It was a total bust - mostly uninspired vintage. It was a sad tale of someone who accumulated stuff to open an antique store, but finally, her family insisted she dispose of it. I waited an hour to get in first and bought three small things. This is a small, silverplated box with a dog on top. It is 2 3/4 inches wide, 3 1/4 long and 1 3/4 inches tall. It is marked with a symbol and then Made in Japan. I bought it because it was very worn, so I hope older. Can anyone shed a light on it? Any comments, ideas or suggestions for research will be greatly appreciated.

 

My first guess would be a cigarette box.

 

That makes sense because the wear is in the middle. Thank you

 

Exactly - Found it. You are wonderful!

Vintage Scottie Dog Terrier Cigarette Box | #37359731 (worthpoint.com)

@Kronos - if you have a chance can you give me the sold price.

 

$42.99 (2008)

 

That is so kind of you! Thank you very much. I paid $7, so I didn't spend too much for it.

 

You may find it's made from antimony, rather than pewter. There was a period in the early to mid 20th century when the Japanese made quite a lot of smaller decorative items in antimony. They are often plated in silver and other finishes, and the finish rubs off easily rather like as can be seen on your item. They are often overlooked and prices can still be very low, I pick them up when I can as I suspect at some point (perhaps when someone writes a collectors guide) prices will go up.

Nice find.

 

Very interesting. I'll have to keep my eye out too. I have a small collection of silver plated items, and he joined that group last night. I did a little research and I see what you mean.
japanese antimony box - Google Search