Victorian Repoussé Cherub Motif Sterling Silver Pill or Snuff Box
Decorative Object / Snuff Box / Pill Box · Attributed to various high-Victorian manufacturers such as William Comyns, Levi & Salaman, or Unger Bros. (US). These makers specialized in small, highly decorative repoussé 'smalls' for the vanity and travel market.
Pattern: Generic Victorian Rococo-Revival Cherub Pattern; a highly popular motif used by multiple firms between 1880 and 1910.
Type
Decorative Object / Snuff Box / Pill Box
Maker
Attributed to various high-Victorian manufacturers such as William Comyns, Levi & Salaman, or Unger Bros. (US). These makers specialized in small, highly decorative repoussé 'smalls' for the vanity and travel market.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity); likely a solid silver body. Total weight estimated between 20-45 grams depending on the gauge of the sheet silver.
Dimensions
Estimated 1.5 - 2 inches (3.8 - 5 cm) in diameter; approximately 0.75 inches in height. Weight is likely light, typical of late Victorian die-struck silver.
Description
This charming round container illustrates the Victorian penchant for romanticism and dense ornamentation. The lid features a pair of playful putti rendered in high relief, surrounded by a swirling garden of scrolling vines. The side of the box continues the floral theme with deep repoussé work, creating a highly tactile and visually rich object once used as a functional accessory for a lady's purse or a gentleman's waistcoat.
Key Features
High-relief musical cherub central motif, detailed stippled background (chasing), and a decorative scalloped/foliate border around the base circumference.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity); likely a solid silver body. Total weight estimated between 20-45 grams depending on the gauge of the sheet silver.
Finish & Decoration
Repoussé and chased decoration featuring two winged cherubs (putti) playing musical instruments (lyre and trumpet) amidst foliate scrolls. The border features beading and a stippled or textured background to enhance depth. Style is Rococo-Revival.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Typically found on the interior rim of the lid or the base. Likely includes a '925/1000' or 'Sterling' stamp (US) or British hallmarks (Lion Passant, Anchor/Leopard's Head, and a date letter 'a-z').
Construction Details
The lid and base were likely die-struck from sterling silver sheet and then hand-finished (chased) to sharpen details. The hinge is a flush-mounted tube hinge soldered to the body.
Functional Features
Hinged lid for storage of snuff, pills, or mints. The hinge appears to be a standard five-knuckle variant. The tight fit of the lid was designed to keep contents dry.
Handle & Grip Details
No external handles; the rounded lid serves as the grip. The bevelled edge of the lid facilitates opening by the thumb.
Craftsmanship Details
Excellent die-striking with evidence of manual chasing. The symmetry of the foliate scrolls around the cherubs shows a high degree of precision in tool design.
Authentication Indicators
The depth of the repoussé work and the type of hinge construction are consistent with late 19th-century methods. Appropriate wear on high points (noses of cherubs) supports the age estimate.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely Birmingham, England or Newark, New Jersey (USA), both major hubs for small decorative silver items during this era.
Era & Period
Late Victorian to Edwardian (c. 1880-1910). This period saw a obsession with Rococo-Revival themes and 'chubby' cherubs popularized by artists like Sir Joshua Reynolds.
Age Estimate
Circa 1890-1905. The specific style of the musical cherubs and the heavy stippling in the background are classic indicators of this fifteen-year window.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 19th-century shift from silver serving as purely functional bullion to silver as 'lifestyle' accessories and status symbols for the burgeoning middle class.
Condition Notes
Very Good. Visible tarnish (sulfide deposits) in the recesses suggests age and highlights the design. Some softening of detail on the cherubs' faces suggests frequent polishing or handling over time.
Value Estimate
$125 - $275 USD depending on the clarity of the maker's mark and the presence of any interior gilding (vermeil).
Care & Maintenance
Hand polish with a soft cotton cloth and a high-quality cream like Wright's. Avoid 'dips' which strip the protective patina from the recesses, making the figures look flat.
Similar Pieces
Unger Brothers 'Le Printemps' pattern (Art Nouveau style), or William Comyns 'Reynolds Angels' snuff boxes. The former would be more flowing and less symmetrical than this piece.
Interesting Facts
The 'Cherub' or 'Angel' motif became a Victorian 'must-have' after it was used extensively in decorative arts to symbolize innocence and domestic bliss. Similar boxes were often given as christening or wedding gifts.