Vintage Silver Plated Hinged Keepsake or Jewelry Box with Diamond Lattice Border
Hollowware (Vanity/Decorative Box) · Unattributed / Unmarked Maker, likely mid-20th century European or American mass-production or boutique metalware producer utilizing electroplate techniques.
Pattern: Diamond Lattice and Beaded Border Pattern, common in mid-century vanity and decorative metalware.
Type
Hollowware (Vanity/Decorative Box)
Maker
Unattributed / Unmarked Maker, likely mid-20th century European or American mass-production or boutique metalware producer utilizing electroplate techniques.
Material
Silver Plated Metal (EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver or similar base metal like brass or white metal underneath).
Dimensions
Estimated rectangular dimensions: approximately 20-25 cm in length, 12-15 cm in width, and 6-8 cm in height. Weight is moderate, consistent with a lined or base-weighted metal box.
Description
An attractive vintage rectangular silver-plated box designed for use as a jewelry, trinket, or keepsake container. The piece features a smooth, mirror-polished flat top lid mounted with four rounded support feet on the underside shown. The side walls are ornamented with an openwork diamond or lattice pattern framed by decorative borders. The interior is fully accessible via a hinged lid, revealing a reflective silver-plated basin suitable for storing precious items.
Key Features
Rectangular lidded form, prominent diamond-lattice side frieze, smooth reflective top lid, four raised spherical feet, and a sturdy rear hinge.
Material & Composition
Silver Plated Metal (EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver or similar base metal like brass or white metal underneath).
Finish & Decoration
Mirror polish on the flat exterior lid and interior surfaces, combined with a cast or stamped openwork diamond-lattice border and decorative trim along the sides and rim.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Not clearly visible in the provided image; typically manufacturer stamps such as 'EPNS', 'Made in England', or maker initials would be located on the base or rim if present.
Construction Details
Machine-manufactured and assembled. The box features stamped sheet metal panels for the top and bottom, joined by structural corner/side framing with a lattice motif, attached feet, and a rear hinge mechanism.
Functional Features
Hinged lid allowing easy access to the interior compartment, flat base supported by four small raised spherical feet to protect furniture surfaces.
Handle & Grip Details
No handles; designed as a lidded vanity or desk box operated by lifting the hinged lid via its overhanging edge.
Craftsmanship Details
Standard commercial mid-century metalworking: stamped panels, decorative pierced or cast borders, mechanically joined corners, and applied functional feet.
Authentication Indicators
Visual consistency with mid-century silver-plated giftware and vanity items. Definitive authentication of metal composition requires acid testing or XRF analysis to confirm silver content over the base metal.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely European or North American production, following traditional electroplating and stamping methods common in the mid-20th century.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern to Vintage (c. 1950-1970), indicated by the manufacturing style, decorative lattice motifs, and silver-plating techniques.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950-1980 based on visual style, construction, and typical wear patterns of mid-century silver-plated vanity items.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the mid-20th-century domestic focus on elegant vanity accessories and decorative home organization, bringing accessible luxury to households through silver plating.
Condition Notes
Good to Very Good vintage condition. The surfaces show moderate tarnish (sulfide deposits), surface smudges, and minor hairline scratches consistent with age and handling. The plating appears intact with no major base-metal bleed-through visible.
Value Estimate
Estimated market value ranges between $30 to $100 USD depending on the exact maker, weight, and pristine nature of the silver plating.
Care & Maintenance
Clean gently with a soft microfiber cloth and specialized silver polish (such as Wright's Silver Cream) to remove tarnish without abrading the thin plating. Store in a dry environment away from rubber bands and sulfur sources.
Similar Pieces
Similar silver-plated trinket boxes, cigarette cases, and vanity chests produced by manufacturers like Wallace, International Silver, or various European silverplate workshops.
Interesting Facts
Boxes of this style were immensely popular as wedding gifts, dressing table accessories, and vanity organizers throughout the mid-20th century.