I picked this one up at a local estate sale here in Kansas City this morning. I've managed to learn a little bit about it after some online research, but still a lot of questions. Hoping some folks in this forum can help me out. thanks! It measures 7cm across and from the marks I believe it was made by Nathaniel Mills in Birmingham in 1825. Would it have been meant to hang around the neck by a chain? I think the coin holder is meant for a few sovereigns; it measures 22mm diameter. Does that seem correct? A few gold sovereigns seems like quite a bit to be carrying around. There's an inserted separate piece of metal that turns in there to block or allow the coins to slide out. I could only find the marks of NM, anchor, and script capital B after looking over it very closely. Are there other places on it that might have additional marks? Do we think it's solid sterling silver, or other metal, or combination of metals? Can anyone decipher the script monogram on the top of it? I'm terrible at trying to read those. This hinged separate and sealed storage area below the mirror isn't something I've been able to find online by Mills. Would this have been meant to be used by a woman, and would that have contained rouge or blush, or something like that ?
I'm thinking powder & rouge, carried over the wrist by an attached chain. Is the round compartment spring loaded? Seems like it would be difficult to get coins out without that.
Powder makes sense to me for the lidded side. And around the wrist seems more plausible than around the neck. That round compartment isn't spring loaded and it measures 22mm across and 11mm deep. Gold sovereigns in 1825 were 22mm diameter and 1.5mm thick. So it seems like it could hold 7 coins but that would have been a lot of money (a couple months of earnings for an average Joe) to be walking around with. That rotating and removable separate piece is what made me think coins, but agree the physics seem off. Also the box itself weighs in at 109.2g.
A power & rouge compact wristlet purse? But 1825 would be much too early. https://www.powerofonedesigns.com/p...PGClox191Q7pYXhHEGYREB35zxdPJ12iPhK9HsY0GXyIx https://www.google.com/search? q=power+rouge+box+victorian+purse&client=safari&hs=5RBp&sca_esv=42ea077b7f4aba21&udm=2&biw=1470&bih=840&aic=0&ei=2RJsae70F6mNur8PyeWpmQQ&ved=0ahUKEwiuxfaU1ZOSAxWphu4BHclyKkMQ4dUDCBI&uact=5&oq=power+rouge+box+victorian+purse&gs_lp=Egtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZyIfcG93ZXIgcm91Z2UgYm94IHZpY3RvcmlhbiBwdXJzZUiiClCqAVj8B3ABeACQAQCYATOgAaYCqgEBNrgBA8gBAPgBAZgCAKACAJgDAIgGAZIHAKAHSLIHALgHAMIHAMgHAIAIAQ&sclient=gws-wiz-img#sv=CAMSVhoyKhBlLTFJdl83eDVfQm5BeWFNMg4xSXZfN3g1X0JuQXlhTToOQ01hNEt1UlpTS3NkSE0gBCocCgZtb3NhaWMSEGUtMUl2Xzd4NV9CbkF5YU0YADABGAcg6OW8yg4wAkoKCAIQAhgCIAIoAg Debora
Maybe possible that it used to have a spring/platform in there that eventually failed and was removed. I have a vesta case from late 1800s that has that setup for a sovereign. The powder seems very likely, but I'm still thinking coins for the other side somehow. Face powder was definitely a thing in 1825. Also not outside realm of possibility that it's a counterfeit, but those marks seem pretty true to me. Odd that I can't find a mark for sterling silver though.
I am thinking maybe a later conversion of a snuff box or vinaigrette, there are probably matching silver hallmarks behind the mirror.
Ah, excellent call on later conversion of a typical Mills box. How long after do we think it could have been converted? And does that change any thoughts on the intended use of the two compartments? I'm still sort of stuck on face powder on the left and gold sovereigns on the right. If no cover on the right it seems like whatever is in there would get all over the mirror. Also the heavy scratches on the bottom of the rounded side seem to be part of the story too. No clue how or why those would be there.
It's lovely, whatever it was used for. I do wonder if the round section might lift out as it looks a bit rotated. (I'm thinking of more mark location possibilities). I gave it a try for the lettering. I don't know if it's right but maybe TRS? Something like that? I don't know if I've followed the lines correctly so I could be way off. https://www.wayfair.com/decor-pillo...bet-2-picture-frame-textual-art-ezxr4491.html https://www.zazzle.com/vintage_victorian_alphabet_letters_calligraphy_poster-
Nice! Thanks everyone for the input and opinions on this old box. It definitely has some character and history. Magnate isn't attracted to any part throughout. And I put an ice cube on the top of it and it melted fast. So I think safe to assume most or all of it is silver, with maybe some copper or brass in parts. On that rounded area I've looked over the inserted piece and the compartment itself and can't find any other markings anywhere. And whatever's behind the mirror will stay hidden forever...no way I'm going to try to pry that off.
