Antique Solid Silver Victorian Vinaigrette "Castle Top" Design of Scott Monument - Nathaniel Mills 1844

Description and Details 

We are delighted to offer this wonderful "Castle Top" solid silver Vinaigrette box made by renowned silversmith Nathaniel Mills of Birmingham in 1844.

An impressive array of details, embellishments and features are present with this exemplary case showcasing the fine silver craftsmanship of the Victorian era.

Scenes of famous, popular and historic monuments can be found on cigar cases, card cases and boxes, made by leading silversmiths with the craftsmanship possible to replicate the fine details of real-life monuments. Such wares are referred to as "Castle Tops" and were gifted/purchased as a memoir of visiting such places or for those with a significant association to the depicted scenes.

This Vinaigrette features a top lid with a highly embossed scene of Scott Monument. 

The box being made by Nathaniel Mills also features additionally intricate features such as the chased floral borders, thumbpiece and the silver-gilt interior grille. 

A vinaigrette box was used to store a small but strong scented sponge which was usually carried by ladies who would use the scent to either mask odours of the city (as sewage systems were not as advance as today) or as a high social distinction whereby only the wealthy could afford perfume, and in addition, a silver container to store it within.  

The box is fully hallmarked internally with English marks.

A wonderful piece of highly collectable Victorian silverware with an iconic scene of Scott Monument.

An Idea for a day's outing: One sensational way to appreciate this box even further may be to bring this box should one ever have the opportunity to visit the monument and try to locate the exact spot from which this scene was captured and compare the wonderful scenes you will be able to indulge in.

Size