Stunning 1851 Great Exhibition Edward Smith Silver & Agate Stone Vinaigrette

  

Agates, the maker is a very well regarded Birmingham Silversmith called Edward Smith who at this time in 1851 worked from his Howard Street workshops in Birmingham, its not been restored or refinished, with all the original finish & patina. The box is in stunning original condition and I.

It was one of several similar boxes made for the 1851 Great Exhibition, many years ago I was shown a box that is very similar by Edward Smith that I was informed had been shown at the Great Exhibition, it was almost identical except the Agate top was set out in a chess board. I do not know if these boxes where shown under his own name or as part of a retailers display who Smith made objects for but they are stunning boxes. The Vinaigrette that I handled and admired long ago I was not told the price only that it was a lot more than the best "Castle Top" of similar date. Roll the clocks forward 30 years and a Antique dealing friend of mine bought this amazing box from a fellow dealer last week and showed it to me, I bought it but did tell him first that I.

It was an exhibition box and why. Under a glass the exceptional Specimen Hard stone Agate sections seem to be set in Gold wire and the edges of the box seem to have gilding in the scooped sections which you can see from some of the images, its really a stunning box when handled it also has a very heavy feel. In addition to the wonderful original condition the Hallmarks are crisp and clear as well as the date stamp for 1851 it has the Queens Young head and the makers assay stamp "ES" for Edward Smith. With a heft and crisp feel, its just such a stunning little box, hands down the best Vinaigrette we have ever had that is not a castle top, must be so rare & especially in this original condition.

Weight is approx 1.2 Troy Ounces, approx 36.9 g of Sterling Silver which for a Vinaigrette is very substantial and unusual.... Please look at the images closely as they represent an important part of the description. The item "Stunning 1851 Great Exhibition Edward Smith Silver & Agate Stone Vinaigrette" is in sale since Saturday, November 7, 2020. This item is in the category "Antiques\Silver\Solid Silver\Vinaigrettes". The seller is "established1923" and is located in cheshire, england.

This item can be shipped worldwide.

1. Product: Vinaigrettes
2. Style: Victorian / Highland Scottish
3. Age: 1850-1899
4. Material: Solid Silver
5. Pattern: Scottish Agate
6. Antique: Yes
7. Composition: Solid Silver
8. Brand: Edward Smith