Halcyon Days Bilston & Battersea Enamel Hunting Scene Box

Collectibles : Enamel Box : Bilston & Battersea : Halcyon Days

 

This beautiful little enamel over copper box depicting a hunting scene was produced by Bilston & Battersea Enamels in England. The craft of enameling over copper to produce small boxes used for snuff or ladies beauty marks (known as patches) was popular in the 1700's but passed out of favor by the early 1800's. Susan Benjamin, owner of Halcyon Days, an antique store in London, spearheaded the revival of the craft and produced the first Bilston & Battersea Enamels designed by Halcyon Days in 1970. In 1980, the name was changed to Halcyon Days Enamels. The beautiful little boxes have become extremely collectible and continue to be produced. This box with the hunting scene on the lid was one of the original Bilston & Battersea boxes from the 1970's, and is marked such on the bottom. The clasp closes very tightly, and is somewhat difficult to open. The brass bezel has one small spot about the size of a pin head on the side were there is slight corrosion. It does not show when the box is closed. The base is a gorgeous cobalt blue enamel. The interior is white with a black and white drawing of a rifle, dead pheasant, and hunting bag. The enamel box is in excellent condition. It measures 2" long, 1.5" wide and 1" tall. It comes in the original turquoise presentation box with velvet interior. The interior of the lid states "By appointment to H. M. Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, Halcyon Days Ltd. London Suppliers of Objects D'Art." According to Susan Benjamin in her book, The First 25 Years of Halcyon Days Enamels, "Between 1972 and 1987 we were honoured to be granted their [the British Royal Family] royal warrants as the first ever 'Suppliers of Objects d'Art' and one of just ten firms to hold all four royal warrants." Included is a pamphlet detailing the history of the craft. The presentation box has some discoloration on the back side & sides, several sticker marks on the bottom and an old price written in ink.

Item ID: 1346