Could this be Cape?

[rat-tail]

Or could it just be wishful thinking?

Hi All - a bought this unusual double snuff box, where the one snuff box folds inside the other. And I can't find a mark on it. The only thing that makes me think it is perhaps Cape is an example listed in Weltz's Cape Silver. I have not seen another example of this in any of the other (limited) books I have. Same size, design and similar engraving as one Weltz attributed to William Godfried Lotter c1780. I would be interested to know if anyone can cast any light on the origin of this design. Was it perculiarly Cape or was it a common Dutch, or French or Belgian design that made its way to the Cape. C1780 looks about right. it's just over 8cm long and quite heavy at 90 grams. The engraving on the back could be a match for the engraving on the sides of the Weltz example. Not sure that there were that many competent engravers in Cape town in 1780. Any thoughts appreciated.

Secondly, if anyone could recommend a safe way of cleaning the inside of the lower snuff box i would appreciate it. There seems to be a charcoal type residue more stubborn than ordinary tarnish. Tried giving it a quick go with Wrights to no avail. It may (although probably won't) reveal a mark.

Regards Frank

[oel]

Hi Rat-tail,

Snuff box with a hidden compartment. The first compartment for a little dried out tobacco you offer to your ‘best’ friends and the hidden compartment with fresh tobacco for yourself and other best friends. ‘Simple sober engravings could be Dutch in style but no hallmarks to prove it.
The black tarnish: I have a few snuff boxes where the gilding has been damaged or lost those damaged spots are showing the black tarnish. Unfortunately I never have been able to remove the black spots and I believe this is due to a chemical reaction of the silver alloy perhaps with the mercury (amalgam) when the gilding took place . Some of the black spots look to have been ‘eaten’away.

Best,

Oel

[rat-tail]

Hi Oel
Many thanks for the wonderful description of how to use this little snuff box. Gave me a good chuckle.
It's good to know that this was a Dutch design and engraving is in the Dutch style. Keeping in mind the quantities of silver manufactured in the Netherlands as opposed to the Cape at this time it is probably more than likely a Dutch piece. I wish it could reveal a few more secrets.
One more question - was there any convention as to how Dutch boxes were marked (English seems to be makers mark inside lid and box and half the hallmarks inside lid and other half inside box - German seems to be on the lip of the lid). I know Dutch assayers tended to scatter the marks to prevent fraud, but would they have been inside or outside the box. If it had had any in the first place.
Regards Frank

[oel]

Hi,

Dutch marking rules.

The first clear marking rules were laid down in art. 33 to 38 of the General Service Order of February 1st 1814, with the following principles:
- As far as practicable all objects must be provided with the three marks or responsibility marks; maker’s mark, office mark and date letter to identify which assayer was on duty.
- All parts of objects will be marked as far as practicable to prevent fraud by connection of other parts. Such can be conveniently done, when the pieces have been made to one of the legal standards of fineness, by spreading the three marks. One shall place the date letter near the large or medium hallmarks. If there remain unmarked pieces, in this case these shall be provided with the small marks: the sword mark for small work.
- If your hidden compartment snuff box has been to a Dutch assay office you could aspect to find a sword mark, a date letter in the rim or lid of the box close to an assay office mark on the inside/outside of the box with a maker's mark; some of the hallmarks could have been eaten away by the black tarnish but I believe not all.
- Like you say the sober Calvinistic style snuff box could have never seen a Continental or British assay office.

Oel.

Ref; Netherlands’ Responsibility marks from 1797