INGENIOUS VICTORIAN TRAVELLING INKWELL, Wright & Davies, 1875

An ingenious Victorian silver Travelling Inkwell, of plain rounded rectangular form when closed. The inkwell is opened by pushing one end down so that the central section swivels on an axis and can stand upright where it locks in place. Pushing the button opens the catch to reveal a snug fitting inner glass ink bottle. The lid is corked to form a seal to prevent leakage. The face engraved with a contemporary cipher and the word ‘push’.

In good condition with just minimal surface wear commensurate with age.

By William Wright and Frederick Davies, London, 1875.

63 mm x 45 mm. 120 grams.

£775.

PAIR CASED VICTORIAN WHIST MARKERS

A very fine quality pair of Victorian silver, silver gilt, ivory and tortoiseshell Whist Markers, the heavy rectangular cases with reeded rims and gilded bases. One with hinged tortoiseshell marker pegs and the other with ivory. Complete with original silk and velvet lined morocco red leather case with gilt metal mounts and script initials “W.A.”.

By Harry Wright Atkins, London 1895. Retailed by Drew & Sons, 156 Leadenhall Street, London E.C.

In very fine condition with no damage or repair.

The cases 92mm x 60mm x 9mm. The leather case 190mm x 124mm x 202mm. Total weight215 grams.

£1,450. The pair.

HUNTING SCENE SNUFF BOX COURSING

A very fine quality Victorian silver Hunting Scene Snuff Box, of rectangular form with cast raised foliate scroll borders and thumb piece, engine turned base and sides, the lid with raised scene depicting two dogs coursing a hare, a shepherd leaning on a stile and a cottage amongst trees and foliage. Silver gilt interior, vacant cartouche to base.

By Edward Smith, Birmingham 1846.

In lovely crisp condition with no damage or repair, good tight hinge and closure.

86mm x41mm x 21mm. 155 grams.

£3,250.

SNUFF BOX MAZEPPA

A very fine quality William IV silver Snuff Box, of rectangular form with cast raised foliate scroll borders and thumb piece, engine turned base and sides, the lid with raised scene depicting Mazeppa fleeing into the undergrowth, two wolves in attendance. Silver gilt interior, engraved cartouche to base “B. Bindlofs Manchester”.

By Edward Smith, Birmingham 1836.

In very fine condition with no damage or repair, good tight hinge and closure.

88mm x58mm x 32mm. 194 grams.

£2,850.

MASONIC TRICK OPENING SNUFF BOX

An extremely rare and unusual 18th century silver trick opening Masonic Snuff or Patch Box, of oval form with flush hinge, the lid bright-cut engraved and set with applied Masonic symbols, including the sun, the moon, a beehive, a set square and compass etc. The Set square has to be pushed forward to unlock the interior mechanism which has three pins locating into circular metal wheels to lock the lid. The base with bright-cut engraved border and presentation inscription – “J.S to R.Banks”.

By Thomas Phipps & Edward Robinson, London 1795.

In fine condition with no damage or repair.

58mm x33mm x 20mm. 42 grams.

£4,950.

GEORGE III TRICK OPENING SNUFF BOX 1813

An extremely rare George III silver “Trick Opening” Snuff Box of rounded rectangular form with all over engine turned decoration, rectangular cartouche to lid engraved with a crest of a rampant wolf out of a coronet. Silver gilt interior. The opening mechanism is superbly made to deceive, with false flush hinge engraved to one end. The box is opened by inserting a nail at the top rim (one end only) which opens the fall down flap; pressure is then applied to the lid at the open end which pops up the main lid. All the hinges are very well concealed and completely flush.

By Daniel Hockley, London 1813.

In good condition with no damage or repair.

65mm x 44m x 21mm. 88 grams.

£1,850.

VICTORIAN SEDAN CHAIR TWIN PACK PLAYING CARD BOX, Samuel Jacob 1900.

A rare late Victorian silver Card Box modelled in the form of a Sedan Chair with hinged and domed lid, each panel chased and embossed with intricate foliate scroll repousse work, vacant cartouches to front and sides, silver gilt interior. Containing two complete packs of contemporary playing cards.

By Samuel Jacob, London 1900.

In good condition with no damage or repair.

60 mm x 48 mm x 38 mm. 70 grams.

£335.

SILVER GILT DOVECOTE BOX William Hornby London 1907

A very unusual Edwardian silver gilt Box, made in the form of an English wooden Dovecote with six entrance holes and three birds emerging, standing on four panel feet, the roof with hinged lid.

By William Hornby, London 1907.

In fine condition with no damage or repair.

110mm x 87mm x90mm. 333 grams.

£1,850.

MASONIC MOTHER OF PEARL SILVER SNUFF BOX

A good quality early Victorian silver Snuff Box of rectangular form with raised shell and scroll borders and thumbpiece, the sides and base with crisp engine turned decoration, the lid inset with a raised and carved mother of pearl plaque depicting a Masonic coat of arms with supporters and symbols, clouds and the all seeing eye above. Silver gilt interior.

The rectangular cartouche to the base engraved: Presented by the Officers & Brs of the Loyal Marquis of Westminster Lodge, North London District, I.O. of O.F.M.U. to Thomas Kirk for the faithful Discharge of his Duties as Hony Secy to the above Lodge , July 18, 1850.

By Joseph Taylor, Birmingham 1839.

In superb crisp condition with no damage or repair. 78mm x 52mm x 19mm. 110 grams.

£1,750.

STEPPES HILL FARM ANTIQUES

Fine Antique English Porcelain and Antique Silver