Technical Description 

A Victorian silver vinaigrette with a beautifully gilded and pierced foliate grille. Fully hallmarked for Birmingham 1839 and with the makers' mark ‘N.M’ for Nathaniel Mills. The top cartouche holds the monogram letter S engraved in fine Victorian script and surrounded by engine-turned decoration which is repeated on the underside, with detailed foliate scroll relief to the opening.

Date & Origin 

Caroline Street, Birmingham, England, 1839.

Condition

Excellent, age-related wear as shown. The hinges are in full working order.

Dimensions 

Height: 3.8 cm x 2.7 cm
Diameter: 0.9 cm

Historical Context

Nathaniel Mills the elder first registered his silversmiths mark in 1803 as a partner of ‘Mills & Langston, Jewellers Northwood’, and independently from an address in Caroline Street. His son of the same name went on to become a famous silversmith known for well-constructed silver boxes and the use of evolving techniques. In 1836, three years before this silver vinaigrette was produced, a new larger premises was opened in Caroline Street where production boomed. He passed a very wealthy man in 1873 leaving £30,000 in his will, which is the equivalent buying power of around £4 million today, indicating perhaps just how much his craftsmanship was appreciated.