ANTIQUE UNIQUE ENAMEL BOX STERLING SILVER CUPIDS DANCING GOLD LAVENDER CASE

This is a special little “eye shape” snuff, patch or pill box decorated with hand-painted guilloche enamel decoration.  This is very unusual and is truly a beautiful little work of art and is very high-quality piece of craftsmanship.  This particular piece has been in my personal collection since the year 2013.  The box in my photos is the actual piece you will receive.  Please be sure to read the “AGE AND CONDITION” and “Approximate Dimensions” paragraphs below.

The enamel decoration on the top of this box is 100% hand-painted and is a very well-done oval portrait of eight naked cupids or cherubs dancing around a stone monument.  This scene appears to me to be an adaption of an original art work titled “Dance of the Cupids” by the 17^th century Italian artist Francesco Albani.  The portrait panel is surrounded by panels of lavender guilloche enamel and narrow bands of white enamel.  The lavender enamel is further enhanced with hand painted gold designs and decoration under the enamel.  There is also some very fine silver workmanship on this box and the lid featured a bezel set dark blue cabochon stone, which is probably a sapphire or iolite.

The box is hallmarked with “935” (for sterling silver) on the inside lip of the bottom part of the box.  There is also a “Crown & Crescent” hallmark in this same area as well, identifying this box to be of German origin.

Originally, this box had an overall gold wash or vermeil coating to the silver.  On the exterior of the box this is still somewhat visible, especially on the very top of the box.  On the interior of the box, the gold wash is pretty much intact and in near mint condition.

I do my best to describe all items as accurately as possible and to the best of my ability.  Some of my photos may be somewhat lighter or darker than actual to better show detail or color.  However, do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments, or with requests for additional pictures.  I will get back to you as soon as I am able.  I want your transaction with me to be exactly the way I want mine to be when I am the buyer.

Please take a moment and visit our eBay store “TNK Antiques”.  You can access our store through a link in any of our eBay listings.  Our store has many unique and interesting items in several different categories from 35 years of our dealing and collecting antiques and collectables.

Age and Condition

Probably dates to circa 1890-1900.

It is in very good to excellent original condition.  Please look closely at the photos as they are an important part of my description of this item.  This is in such nice condition it looks as though it were barely used, only some extremely light signs of age-related use or wear and a bit f minor loss to the enamel.  I do see three (3) small areas of loss to the enamel. There is some and fracturing / loss to the narrow inner band of white enamel to the immediate top left of the portrait area and also a very small area to the outer white enamel band to the top right above the portrait panel (these are neither one at all obvious unless you look at it with a jeweler’s loupe).  There is also a flake to the enamel to the lower right of the portrait panel on the lavender colored enamel that has also taken a small amount of the gold decoration with it.  These are all visible in the close-up photo of the top of the box.  Otherwise, I see no other loss, chips, cracks, scratches or repairs to the enamel and no visible signs of use or wear.  I see no dents, dings or breaks to the silver, except for a very tiny area of loss (could be from the making of the box) to the underside of the bezel holding the blue stone cab in place.  The gold wash on the interior is very near mint but shows some signs of age-related wear on the exterior.  The hinge is nice and tight and the box opens, closes and latches crisply just as it should.  There is the expected age-related tarnish or discoloration to the silver.  Really in nice condition.  Please keep in mind these photos may be blown up at least 8-10 times normal, so anything you see will look 8-10 times larger in the photos than it really is.

Please note: if you see a dark spot in the photos, it is from my camera and is not a mark on the piece.  It will be either just to the right of center towards the bottom or slightly above center on the right side of the photo.

Approximate Dimensions

About 2.625” (6.6 cm) in length by about 1.625” (4.1 cm) in width and about .625” (1.6 cm) in overall thickness.

Approximate Weight

About 1.625 ounces (48 grams). 

SALES TAX

Depending on which state you live in eBay may add State Sales Tax on your purchase.

PAYMENT, SHIPPING, Insurance & PACKAGING

For auctions, if you do not send an instant payment through PayPal, I will send you an invoice within 24 hours of the end of the auction.

PayPal is my preferred method for receiving funds and payment is expected within 3 days of the completion of the auction.  I will normally ship within 1-2 business days of receiving payment in my PayPal account.

Shipment will be via USPS First Class Mail at no additional shipping cost to buyers in the USA.  A delivery confirmation (provides electronic tracking of the shipment) is included with all domestic shipments paid for through PayPal.  Please take the shipping costs into account when bidding.  If you purchase more than one item, I will do my best to combine shipping costs to save you as much as possible.  If you want your package insured, you must let me know in advance of payment.

This item will be professionally packaged and shipped in a corrugated box for maximum protection in shipping.

INTERNATIONAL BUYERS

The only form of payment I accept from international buyers is Pay Pal.  No exceptions!

International shipments will encounter longer shipping times due to distance and Customs requirements.  The USPS says 6-10 business days, but it can take longer.    International buyers are responsible for all customs fees, duties, import taxes or other related customs or import charges and all our out-of-pocket costs incurred in the shipment of packages internationally.

International shipment options will be via USPS First Class Mail (when the item being shipped meets the requirements of that service) or Priority Mail when it does not.

DO NOT ask us to show a lesser value on the Customs Forms than the item sold for, or to ship the item purchased item as a gift.  Ebay requires us to report any buyer to them who requests this.

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