Late Victorian Sterling Silver and Cut Glass Vanity Jar by Crisford & Norris
Vanity Set (Dressing Table Jar) · Crisford & Norris Ltd, Birmingham. Established in 1896, the firm was well-known for producing high-quality dressing table silver, novelties, and small sterling objects.
Pattern: Traditional Fluted Glass with Plain Domed Silver Lid (Standard Victorian/Edwardian catalog design)
Type
Vanity Set (Dressing Table Jar)
Maker
Crisford & Norris Ltd, Birmingham. Established in 1896, the firm was well-known for producing high-quality dressing table silver, novelties, and small sterling objects.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925) lid and bezel with a heavy faceted cut-glass base. The silver is thin-gauge sterling typical of vanity items.
Dimensions
Estimated 4-6cm in diameter and 5-8cm in height. The silver weight is negligible (less than 15g) due to the thin construction of dressing table mountings.
Description
An elegant example of British Edwardian vanity silver, this jar features a heavy, panel-cut glass body topped with a sterling silver domed lid. Such jars were essential components of an upper-middle-class woman's 'toilette' set.
Key Features
Clear, deep Birmingham hallmarks; maker's mark 'C&N'; panel-cut glass base; plain domed sterling lid.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925) lid and bezel with a heavy faceted cut-glass base. The silver is thin-gauge sterling typical of vanity items.
Finish & Decoration
Original polished finish now showing heavy oxidation and tarnish. The silver lid is a simple, unadorned domed design in the Neoclassical/Minimalist Victorian style; the glass body is panel-cut.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The item bears a full set of British hallmarks for Birmingham: 'C&N' (Crisford & Norris maker's mark), Anchor (Birmingham Assay Office), Lion Passant (.925 Sterling Purity), and the date letter 'g' (1906).
Construction Details
The lid is die-struck from a thin sheet of sterling silver. The glass is hand-cut and polished. The silver bezel is friction-fitted or cemented to the glass rim.
Functional Features
Removable lift-off lid designed for air-tightness to preserve creams, powders, or salts. The heavy glass base provides stability on a dressing table.
Handle & Grip Details
No separate handle; the entire rounded lid serves as the grip for the user.
Craftsmanship Details
Machine-assisted die-striking for the silver lid with hand-finishing on the hallmark application. The glass shows quality lapidary work with sharp, well-defined facets.
Authentication Indicators
The hallmarks are struck with high-quality tool steel dies; the alignment and spacing are consistent with the Birmingham assay office's standards for 1906.
Origin & Manufacturing
Birmingham, England. Produced in the 'Jewellery Quarter,' which was the world center for small silver and vanity goods at the time.
Era & Period
Late Victorian/Early Edwardian (circa 1906). The item reflects the transition from elaborate Victorian ornamentation to more restrained Edwardian elegance.
Age Estimate
Precisely dated to 1906 based on the 'g' date letter.
Cultural Significance
Represents the Edwardian emphasis on grooming and the display of wealth through daily-use silver items on a lady's vanity.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. The silver lid shows heavy tarnish (sulfide deposits), minor surface pitting, and several small dings or 'pokes.' The glass appears intact but needs cleaning.
Value Estimate
$45 - $85 USD. Value is driven by the hallmarked silver and the condition of the glass rather than silver weight.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver foam (like Wright's) and a soft cotton cloth. Avoid submerging the glass-silver joint in water to prevent looseness. Glass can be cleaned with a 50/50 vinegar-water mix.
Similar Pieces
Tiffany & Co. cut glass jars (typically more ornate caps), Gorham silver-topped jars (often Repoussé style), and contemporary Walker & Hall vanity pieces.
Interesting Facts
Crisford & Norris were famous for 'novelty' silver, including rattles and pincushions, making their standard vanity jars highly reliable in quality and very collectable today.