Burnell and Rowe

Description

Here we have a top quality high 937 Grade Silver Snuff Box from the Austrian Empire period. The snuff box is rectangular with a serpentine front. The lid bears a well engraved image of the Rialto Bridge in Venice (at that time part of the Austrian Empire), whilst the underside has a blank cartouche. The inside of the box is gilded.

The snuff box is in a high grade of silver called 15 Loth, a system in place in the Germanic countries where pure silver was divided into 16 Loth, in the same way that pure gold is divided in 24 carats. 15 Loth equates to 937 / 1000 grade silver, so purer than Sterling (which is 925 / 1000).

The snuff box was made in Vienna in 1856 but, as is standard in Austrian Empire silver, there is no makers' mark to identify the specific silversmith.

The box has definitely been much loved and been regularly used. It has a couple of small dents on the rear panel. The gold plating on the inside has been rubbed in places by frequent fingers going in for a pinch of snuff and is a little dirty. The lid closes securely and the hinge is working but could do with a little work on it. Please make sure to view all the photographs.

The box is 8.8cm / 3.5ins long, 5cm / 1.9ins wide and 1.8cm / 0.7ins high. It weighs in at a very respectable 80g / 2.8oz of solid 937 grade silver.

The hallmark on the inside of the lid is a little rubbed but still clear to read. It is of the form in use between 1811 and 1866. The letter A at the top signifies that it was assayed in Vienna. The number 15 in the central circle shows that it is 15 Loth or 937 / 1000 grade silver and around this is the date 1856.

Shipping in the UK is £11 by Royal Mail Special Delivery, which includes cover for the value of the snuff box.
Overseas customers, please ask us about shipping costs to your country before making a purchase.