Featured What is this silver item? German silver?

Anyone know what this is? I can't seem to find others online anywhere? I don't know what it's purpose is. I also see some brassing on some areas so I don't know if it is silver plated or not... The marks I also do not know! So many questions!

 

Have you got it or are these seller’s pics? Looks like it can be opened

 

The mark looks like a Hanau mark, and the style looks Hanau too.
Several known Hanau makers use an N, but the two marks on either side are not familiar to me.

 

Nice lump of silver. Here's a Hanau caddy. Sort of similar. I get the feeling they are all hand made and unique though, which would make it difficult to find one the same. Especially with Google lens.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1682328276/large-german-hanau-silver-tea-caddy-with?gpla=1&gao=1&

 

Sure looks like worn plating to me. I thought it could be tarnish, or possibly gilding on top of the silver that was wearing off. However, when you look at the bottom edge, it does look like brass with worn plating.

 

I was reading an article that says Hanau items are often made from poor quality silver, so maybe it's that. Spartcom, get yer tin snips out and show us what's underneath

 

Yes, Hanau pieces like this are hand made.

Hanau silver holds a certain prestige. It wasn't made from poor quality silver.
Maybe they meant a fineness below sterling, which was often the case in Germany and much of Continental Europe in the past.
Hanau silver finenesses range from ca .750 for the older pieces, to .835 for later pieces.
If you compare that with, for instance, British gold, which is often only .375 fineness, Hanau silver didn't do so badly.

 

Thanks all I was thinking Hanau, but couldn't find the marks! I didn't buy it as I did see some silver wearing through to copper