1881 Antique Russian Silver Spice Tower

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Austro-Hungarian silver spice tower; an addition to our silver Judaica collection. This exceptional antique Austro-Hungarian silver spice box has been modelled in the form of a tower. The cuboid shaped spice box is ornamented with exceptional silver filigree work within a plain arched frame. This impressive vessel is fitted with a hinged door embellished with contemporary engraved initials. The upper portion of this impressive antique silver spice tower is embellished with four articulating flag designs encompassing a tapering paneled chute. The tower's chute is ornamented with further filigree and rope twist decoration and terminating with a scalloped knop to an undulating guidon shaped flag. The spice compartment surmounts a plain wirework style pedestal, accented with a further scalloped knop. The square shaped foot is ornamented with filgree decoration and supported by four plain semi-spherical feet. The hallmarks struck to the surface of this Austro-Hungarian silver spice tower include: Maker's mark: EE (untraced) Silver quality/purity mark: Dianakopf mark (.800, 800/1000) Assay mark: A6 (Brno/Brünn - Czech Republic) A spice box is used to hold sweet-smelling herbs/spices and can be fashioned in many forms. As of the 16th century a very common form is that of a tower, influenced by developments in architecture. The spice tower is used to bring comfort to a Jew as they transition through Sabbath to their new week, receiving their extra soul...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver castle top vinaigrette depicting Abbotsford House; an addition to our collectable box collection This exceptional antique Victorian silver vinaigrette has a rectangular form with rounded corners. The cover of this fine vinaigrette is embellished with a scene of Abbotsford House in high relief. The sides of the box are encompassed with panels of undulating ornamentation. The underside of the box is ornamented with engine turned decoration incorporating a rectangular cartouche displaying the contemporary engraved inscription 'J.E to S.E, 17th April 1821'. Both the base and cover are embellished with applied scrolling leaf decorated borders. The hinged silver vinaigrette cover allows access to the original hallmarked hinged, pierced decorated silver gilt grille and original gilded interior. A historical country house which was the former residence of renowned novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott, situated in the Scottish Borders...