Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 13

19th Century Sterling Silver Snuffbox Birmingham 1848 by Rolason Bros

$585
$1,29954% Off
£444.87
£987.8354% Off
€513.13
€1,139.4254% Off
CA$819.48
CA$1,819.6654% Off
A$917.16
A$2,036.5654% Off
CHF 478.90
CHF 1,063.4054% Off
MX$11,189.38
MX$24,846.1654% Off
NOK 6,079
NOK 13,498.5054% Off
SEK 5,768.60
SEK 12,809.2454% Off
DKK 3,831.83
DKK 8,508.6254% Off
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

Lovely little sterling silver snuffbox, fully hallmarked with gold plated interior. Lovely chasing on lid and sides, classic high Victorian repousse work, the central cartouche is blank (a bonus if you want to personalize it !!) Both the base and lid have matching marks. Makers mark is “R.B”, probably Rolason Brothers, Birmingham Anchor mark, Lion Passant, Date Letter 'Z' for 1848. "Inhaling snuff, or snuffing, as it is also called, was first witnessed by a European in 1493, when Friar Ramón Pane, who had arrived in the new world courtesy of Christopher Columbus, was living as a missionary among Haiti’s indigenous Taino. Until then, tobacco had been unknown to Europeans, but the use of tobacco spread like a weed on the continent during the 1500s. By the second half of the 17th century, ornate boxes were being produced to keep the precious powder dry. Provenance: Bought Privately in the UK.
  • Creator:
    Rolason Brothers (Metalworker)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 0.75 in (1.91 cm)Width: 2.25 in (5.72 cm)Depth: 1.5 in (3.81 cm)
  • Style:
    High Victorian (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Sterling Silver,Repoussé
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1848
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Very good original condition.
  • Seller Location:
    Dallas, TX
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU3978112226221

More From This Seller

View All
Art Deco Sheffield Silver Plated Bon Bon Dish
By Frank Cobb & Co. 1
Located in Dallas, TX
Gorgeous Art Deco British Old Sheffield plated silver bon bon dish. This is a piece of classic Art Deco! This is a British made silver plated, EPNS ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Platters and Serveware

Materials

Silver Plate

Japanese Meiji Period Sterling Silver 2 Handled Basket by Katsu Miyamoto
By Miyamoto Shoko 1
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING a GORGEOUS, VERY HIGH QUALITY and EXTREMELY RARE piece of Japanese Meiji Period Sterling Silver 2 Handled Basket by Katsu Miyamoto. EXQUISITE, EXCEPTIONAL, RARE & IMPORTANT! This is definitely a Meiji Period piece due to the fact that it is marked with the sterling silver mark “jungin”. The Meiji period was from 1868 to 1912 and in 1928 a law was introduced in Japan compelling the use of decimal marks for silver. This pre-dates that decimalization law. We are of the opinion that it is from circa 1900. Miyamoto Shoko was founded in 1880 as the first silverware specialty shop. In 1899, Miyamoto Shoko’s silverwares were ordered by the family members of the Emperor of Japan, and to this day, they are making fine and graceful handicrafts with skillful craftsmen. Loved by numerous customers since the Meiji era, Miyamoto Shoko’s products have also been given to Princess Mako and Princess Kako of Akishino, as well as Princess Aiko Toshinomiya, on their birthdays. Katsu Miyamoto (宮本勝), in 1880, in order to increase the sales of tobacco and cigarettes to foreigners founded the Moyamoto Shoko company, which produced different silverwares in general and particularly silver cigarette cases. Miyamoto’s first name, Katsu (勝) in some sources is written as “Masaru”, since 勝 kanji can be pronounced in both ways. This basket is of the HIGHEST QUALITY imaginable! The top of the basket has the MOST GORGEOUS repousse work of flowers, probably lotus flowers, with leaves and foliage. It has an underlying chevron effect chasing, reflecting parquetry. The 2 handles are cast in the form of bamboo handles. The rim of the top likewise is cast as bamboo. The base is equally stunning in a different way! It is chased with a chevron effect, like parquetry flooring and the four feet simulate pieces of sliced bamboo with an interlinking gallery of support columns, likewise, simulating bamboo. The QUALITY of WORKMANSHIP is OUTSTANDING! The pieces weighs exactly 525 grams. This piece takes my breath away! This is one for the SERIOUS COLLECTOR of EXQUISITE AND RARE Japanese silver. You will not find another like it, for sale ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD …… I know as I have searched! Provenance: Acquired from a Dallas Private Collector. Dimensions: 9.6 inches wide, 7.6 inches deep and 2.75 inches tall ( 7.25 inches tall with handles up) Condition: Very good. It looks like the base 4 legged gallery, has been repaired/re-attached to the base, but otherwise it is excellent and of Museum quality. The Meiji period (明治時代 Meiji-jidai?), also known as the Meiji era, is a Japanese era which extended from October 23, 1868 through July 30, 1912.[1] This period represents the first half of the Empire of Japan during which Japanese society moved from being an isolated feudal society to its modern form. Fundamental changes affected its social structure, internal politics, economy, military, and foreign relations. The period corresponded with the reign of Emperor Meiji after 1868, and lasted until his death in 1912. It was succeeded by the Taishō period upon the accession of Emperor Taishō to the throne. Solid silver pieces...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Metalwork

Materials

Sterling Silver

19C Anglo Indian Silver Perfume Bottle Case
Located in Dallas, TX
19C Anglo Indian solid silver perfume bottle case. Lovely 19th century Anglo-Indian solid silver perfume bottle case with profuse repousse work. Not hallmarked because it was m...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Indian Anglo Raj Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

19th Century Samson Paris Porcelain Trinket Box
By Samson & Cie
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a gorgeous French 19th century Samson Paris Porcelain Trinket Box probably by Edme Samson. Marked on the base with “Made in France” and unmistakably in the style and manner of Samson. The lid features hand painted floral bouquets on an ivory porcelain background with gold edging, surrounded by a sky blue lid with gold web or crackling effect.. The lid is hinged and the lid and base are edged in floral gilt metal mounts with Fleur De Lis clasp. It sits on 4 gilt metal or ormolu feet. The sides are likewise hand decorated. This wonderful antique hand painted box is just bursting with History. Inspired by Edme Samson of Samson & Co., Paris. we believe (based upon the markings and natural aging) that it was made between 1880– 1890 in France and was meant to resemble an antique of a much earlier period. It is very similar to Sevres pieces with it’s color, decoration and design. Samson specialized in reproducing antiques from the 1600 and 1700s. One of his most interesting works was his Heraldic or Armorial pieces. With this medium sized box, he was not only copying the larger porcelain caskets or coffin boxes...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Ormolu

19C Anglo Indian Vizigapatam Stamp Box
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting an absolutely gorgeous and very rare 19C Anglo Indian Vizigapatam stamp box. Made in Colonial India (the Time of the Raj) circa 1860. Prob...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bone, Shell

19th Century Anglo-Indian Spice or Tea Caddy with Silver Mounts
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING A GORGEOUS 19C Anglo Indian Rosewood Caddy with Silver Mounts. Really nice and unusual, 19th Century Anglo-Indian Spice or Tea Caddy, from cir...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Indian Anglo Raj Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

You May Also Like

Victorian sterling silver snuff box made in Birmingham in 1843
By Francis Clarke
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1843 by Francis Clark, this attractive, Victorian, Antique Sterling Silver Snuff Box, features an ornate border, engine turned decoration and a gilt inter...
Category

Antique 1840s English Victorian Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Sterling Silver

Nathaniel Mills Silver Snuff Box Birmingham 1842
By Nathaniel Mills
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : Nathaniel Mills silver snuff box with parcel gilt interior Date : Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1842 for Mills Period : Victoria Origin : Birmingham, England Decoration : Scr...
Category

Antique 1840s British Early Victorian Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Antique Sterling Silver Table Snuff Box from 1911 by D. & J. Wellby
By D. & J. Wellby 1
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1911 by D. & J. Wellby, this exceptional, Antique, sterling silver table snuff box, is rectangular in shape, and features a cast border, gilt interior, and en...
Category

Vintage 1910s English Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver Jewelry Box, circa 1900
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We are excited to offer this sterling silver jewelry box that is one hundred and twenty five years old — circa 1900 (hallmarked)!! Designed and manufactured during the Victorian per...
Category

Antique Early 1900s American Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver and Crystal Box
By William Nolan
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A beautiful example of sterling silver and crystal made in England. Manufactured in the late 1800’s by William Nolan of London. The box is crystal and has a starburst on the bottom. ...
Category

Antique 1870s English Sterling Silver

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

Good Quality Silver Engine Turned Snuff Box, 1928, London Assay
Located in London, GB
Good quality silver Engine turned snuff box,1928, London Assay. Made by Adolph Barach Davis, in a very high standard of workmanship. There is no wear at all on the cast border or e...
Category

Vintage 1920s English George IV Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver