Victorian Repoussé Sterling Silver Oval Trinket Box
Decorative Object / Vanity Box · Unknown American or British Silversmith (likely Unger Bros. or Foster & Bailey style)
Pattern: Floral Scroll and Rococo Revivial Pattern
Type
Decorative Object / Vanity Box
Maker
Unknown American or British Silversmith (likely Unger Bros. or Foster & Bailey style)
Material
Sterling Silver (.925) or high-grade Silver Plate (EPNS); high copper tarnish suggests a potential silver-over-copper plated piece (Sheffield style).
Dimensions
Estimated 3.5 inches length by 2.5 inches width; approximately 60-90 grams depending on whether the piece is weighted.
Description
An ornate oval vanity box featuring high-relief repoussé work. The lid is densely decorated with trailing flowers and C-scrolls, typical of the late Victorian obsession with nature and historicism. The central cartouche remains unmonogrammed, highlighting the floral centerpiece.
Key Features
Deeply embossed floral border; oval form; central raised floral sprig; scalloped inner borders.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925) or high-grade Silver Plate (EPNS); high copper tarnish suggests a potential silver-over-copper plated piece (Sheffield style).
Finish & Decoration
Heavy repoussé and chasing featuring a central floral sprig surrounded by a border of scrolls, acanthus leaves, and rose blossoms; Rococo Revival style.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Marks likely located on the interior rim or underside, potentially including 'Sterling' or a maker's shield; visual assessment suggests a late 19th-century hallmark system.
Construction Details
Die-struck or stamped from a thin sheet of silver, then hand-finished; separate base and friction-fit or hinged lid.
Functional Features
Removable or hinged lid intended for storing small jewelry, stamps, or vanity items.
Handle & Grip Details
Central repoussé floral medallion serves as a decorative grip; no separate handle logic applies.
Craftsmanship Details
Evidence of die-stamping used to create the uniform floral pattern, followed by chasing to sharpen the details of the flower petals.
Authentication Indicators
The depth of the relief suggests professional stamping/die work; wear patterns on the raised floral edges are consistent with high-point handling over time.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely United States (Newark) or United Kingdom (Birmingham) given the floral repoussé tradition of the period.
Era & Period
Victorian Era (Late 19th Century, c. 1880-1900); Rococo Revival style.
Age Estimate
Circa 1890-1905, based on the floral-scroll decorative vocabulary and construction style.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Gilded Age' aesthetic where even functional everyday objects were expected to display high levels of ornamentation and wealth.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. There is significant copper-colored tarnish or 'bleeding' indicating possible wear to plating or heavy oxidation of alloy. Visible dark pits in the upper right quadrant of the lid.
Value Estimate
$45 - $125 USD (Value varies significantly if identified as solid Sterling vs. Silver Plate).
Care & Maintenance
Gentle cleaning with a non-abrasive silver cream (Wrights); avoid electrolytic dips due to the deep crevices which may trap chemicals and cause pitting.
Similar Pieces
Unger Bros 'Love's Dream' dresser boxes; Gorham 'Fontainebleau' hollowware pieces.
Interesting Facts
Items like this were common 'new woman' gifts in the 1890s, often used on dressing tables to hold hairpins or hatpins.