Featured Silverplate I'm Not Sure What It Is

Hi,
I picked this up today and believe it is one of the coolest items I've found in a while.
It is 6 1/2" x 4 1/2" x 5"H, made by the Toronto Silverplate Co.
The little wheel at the centre front slides out to open the drawer - maybe for cigarettes? Or maybe something like jams or jellies because of the grapes on the top? Maybe had a glass liner in the drawer?
Any information appreciated
thanks for looking

 

The top reminds me of the tale of The Fox & the Bitter Grapes....and may not be a clue to the contents.....
could it be an old jewelry or keepsake box ?

 

Yes, it could very well be one of those komokwa They would make more sense than food items I think.
I just love the little wheel that opens the drawer

 

Very cool, cx - I really wonder why a fable about disparaging what you can't have would be used on a trinket box or?

très ironique!

It could be a cigarette holder, or something for a man's study... some versions of that tale read more as a man turning himself away from young (unripe) girls.

wiki

 

Time period is probably 1880s -1900.
Cigarette boxes would not have been popular, but cigars would have been.
It would be too hard to clean if it were for food, unless the drawer comes all the way out.

 

Something a gentleman would keep on the table next to his bed?

Ahem...

 

cxgirl...I would have picked it up also...a very interesting piece

I agree...not for food....thinking cigars..--but no way to keep moisture in...

 

Found this, which is quite similar. Could yours be missing a piece?
http://www.antiquesnavigator.com/d-...ian-silver-plate-fox--grapes-trinket-box.html

 

I know this sounds strange, but I've seen ones with a handle, such as in Brenda's link, referred to as "sardine boxes."

 

WOW! Nice find Brenda!! Sure looks identical....except for that "frame" piece.....and NICE SOLD price!!!!!

 

Hi Bakers,
I agree with your observation, the only difference is the drawer should have a glass liner to hold the sardines. The handle on a trinket box is very weird.
greg

 

That's true about needing a glass liner, Greg. And why a "trinket box" would need such a substantial handle I cannot imagine.

 

Slim Jims?

 

Good call Bakersgma! and Brenda Anna!

Caviar is mentioned, too - it's certainly fancy enough, though it wouldn't be iced...

I wonder if the handle would push the drawer out? I didn't see a way to open it without pulling on the wheel. It's definitely more or a presentation piece, and more of an apparatus than a trinket box.

 

There was one on the ebay boards relatively recently - and the OP showed how the handle activated the drawer. Also had (if memory serves) a piece of serving flatware that should have hung on a "hook" on the handle, but I don't think the one in the OP's pictures matched.

 

Thanks for all the replies folks
Fabulous find Brenda Anna! That looks the same as mine except for the handle.
There are no marks or indications that mine ever had a handle. It has odd little feet on it, but I believe they are like that so the drawer can be removed. You have to angle it to remove it (if that makes sense). The drawer is 4 1/2"wide, has a lip/edge around the top and the sides are at an angle so I'm not sure if a liner would fit.
Here are some photos of the base and feet.

 

I thought about the moisture too. Then remembered the glass lined walnut boxes that were cigar boxes. If this is air tight, might not need the moisture.
Example
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-whi...ased-humidor-Cigar-box-for-desk-/351103195747

 

It's an1880s-90s jewel casket, would have most likely been lined with silk or plush, and should have a handle with wires that go underneath and hook into those on the drawer, you'd push the handle back to open the drawer. Can probably dig up a couple of catalog illustrations when I get home, but in the meantime, here's one similar: https://www.etsy.com/listing/207557532/victorian-mechanical-jewelry-box

~Cheryl

 

Yay Dragon.......!!!!!!
I was thinking fabric lined too, but had no proof...!

That's a NICE Etsy price tag too !!!

 

Thanks, Cheryl! That makes so much more sense than sardines!