SILVER CASKETS AND BOXES AND THEIR VALUE

Late seventeenth century antique silver octagonal casket from a toilet service, about eight inches across. Fully marked on the side or underneath, and in the cover.
A plainer example of silver box of the same period. The feet are modelled from Chinese characters
A pair of silver toilet boxes from the same collection. The marking of smaller pieces in toilet services is rather haphazard — although the bottoms are fully marked, the covers may have only the maker’s mark.
Mid-eighteenth century Irish Freedom boxes, engraved on the cover with the arms of the town, and on the other with the donee’s arms and presentation inscription.
Another example of antique silver box, date 1815, the cover embossed with the arms of Drogheda.
A group of eighteenth and early nineteenth century silver snuff boxes. Birmingham was the great centre for box-making from 1800, and their best work is fully up to London standards. Their famous maker, Nathaniel Mills, worked until about 1850, and his work is much sought after. In London, William Eley and Edward Edwards seem to have produced most of the best boxes.
Condition is all-important with silver boxes — the engine turning or engraving and mounts should be crisp, the hinge undamaged, and the closure good. Presentation inscriptions have almost always been erased in the past to the detriment of the box.
Later inscriptions detract considerably from the value of silver box given — depending how out-of-character they are. Boxes large enough to hold cigarettes, especially King-size, are much sought after. Generally, the bolder the mounts, the more expensive the box.
Birmingham made box, agate cover, about 1800. Fully marked in the base, no cover mark necessary.
Mid-eighteenth century. Often not marked, often maker’s mark only
seldom identifiable. Very rarely fully marked. With some mark:
Price Range: £45 - £80
Engine-turned box with floral borders. London or Birmingham.
Scottish snuff mull-silver mounted ram’s horn, unmarked. About 1800.

Very plain box of excellent quality, London about 1820. Birmingham box about 1835.The two large boxes at the back are silver Russian boxes, with Niello decoration. The best ones have a gilt background. They must not be badly worn.
The large snuff box in the front is a Birmingham one big enough to take King-size cigarettes, finely engraved and in mint condition of silver.
Price Range: £200 - £350
The three deep oval silver boxes are nutmeg graters about as antique as 1800.  The remaining boxes are all vinaigrettes, all rather good quality ones with floral borders or interesting antique engraving.
An outstanding table snuff box about five inches across. Bold vine mounts. About 1835. Almost the best size and type of silver box.
Two fox-head silver snuff boxes. These are rather rare, date mostly from about 1830, and are Birmingham made, about three inches long.
A Victorian silver casket by Robert Garrard, about eight inches long. Articles of this quality and attractiveness command a very high price.