Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
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...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Hungarian Boxes