This exquiste pill or snuff box is hallmarked for silver and it is of German origin. I am dating it to circa 1910-1920.

It measures 1 and 11/16” (4.3cms) by 1 and 3/8” (3.5cms) by ½” (11.4cms) tall. It weighs 19.9 grams.

The style is Edwardian with a lovely, raised leafy swags. However beneath the swags are the straight lines of the Art Deco period to come. The design continues around the sides and the back is blank. On one side is a ring for hanging from a chatelaine belt or a watch chain.

The box opens from the front to reveal a gold washed interior . On the upper lid are the hallmarks ‘800’ and a rather worn crescent and crown to denote silver. There are also two further marks – one of which is an insect . This was commonly used as an import mark into France.

Apart from a minuscule ding on one side this most rare and beautiful will arrive in a gift box.