Halcyon Days Enamel Gun Dogs Box

Collectibles : Enamel Box : Halcyon Days

 

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. They are used today as trinket boxes, pill boxes, or just given as a token of love or affection.

This beautiful little enamel box is a tribute to hunting dogs. It features an Irish setter, Pointer, Cocker Spaniel and Labrador on the cover, and lists them inside the lid under the heading Gun dogs. The enamel box is in excellent condition with a dark green enameled base and shiny gold tone bezel. The lid opens and closes with ease. The box measures 1.75" in diameter at the base, and just over 1" high. It comes in the original navy blue presentation box with velvet interior (with slight wear as shown). The inside lid is stamped in gold lettering with the royal seals one of which states "By appointment to H. M. Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, Halcyon Days Ltd. London Suppliers of Objects D'Art." The other begins "By appointment to her Majesty The Queen..." and continues with the same inscription as the other. 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."

Item ID: 1403