Here we have a top quality late Victorian Sterling Silver Tobacco Box with a Gilt Interior. The box is circular with a sprung hinge that sits flush within the box making it completely smooth on the outside, always a sign of good quality. The top of the lid has a monogram engraved on it made up of the letters E, M and H.

The tobacco box is made in Birmingham by renowned silversmiths George Unite & Sons and dates to 1898. George Unite & James Hilliard founded the firm in 1825 as Unite & Hilliard. After Hilliard withdrew in the 1830s, George continued by himself before the firm became George Unite & Sons in 1865. The business remained under the management of the Unite family until 1897 when it was taken over by William Lyde who retained the name up until the late 1920s.

Like most tobacco boxes, which have generally spent their lives bumping around in pockets, this one has a few shallow bruises around the lower part but overall condition is good with the hinge and clasp in full working order and no significant wear to the gilding on the interior. Please make sure to view all the photographs as these form part of the description.

The box is 8.2cm / 3.2ins in diameter and 2.1cm / 0.83ins deep. It weighs in at a substantial 94g / 3.3oz of solid Sterling Silver.

The hallmarks, on the inside of the box, are well struck and clear to read. They show the lion passant for Sterling Silver, the anchor assay mark for Birmingham, the date letter y for 1898 and the G U makers' mark for George Unite & Sons. There is a second partial set on the inside of the lid with the lion passant, the date letter and the makers' mark.