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Hi All - Firstly an apology in advance, the marks on this attractively plain silver box a very rubbed and I have battled to photograph them. Think this is probably a spice or tobacco box. At 12cm by 8cm, it's a bit big for a snuff box and probably too small for a sugar box. The simple reeded work on the sides and engraving around the edge of the top suggest Dutch. The marks look like a capital A which could be a date letter. A maker's mark PR - i think - with possibly something else afterwards. Another very rubbed mark which I initially thought was a second maker's or retailer's mark, but am now wondering if it's not the town mark for Schoonhaven, And the a crowned o. There are no marks on the lid - these appear on the lip of the main body of the piece. Any thoughts appreciated even if it's only on the style or period of the box - regards Frank

Hi Rat-tail,

Yes, you are right about Schoonhoven. Guild city mark of Schoonhoven, the four lions rampant in a shield; worn and de-formed. The maker’s mark appears to be PR for: Pieter Cornelis Rozenburg, registered 1793-1811 and died 1812. The date letter A for 1795 and later duty mark the crowned O, applied in 1807. Pieter Cornelis registered two maker’s marks; PR an CR and he has been silversmith and ‘kasthouder’ is a dealer in gold & silver items not made by himself. In 1807 Pieter Cornelis became assayer for the gold & silver guild city of Schoonhoven.
I believe it to be a pipe tobacco box.


Oel.

Hi oel - many thanks for your help here - and for your many interesting articles on early Dutch silver - regards Frank