This is a very early Birmingham, George III hinged Silver Snuff Box, beautifully worked and with an armorial crest, & fully hallmarked for Birmingham 1786.

The box is oblong in form, with chamfered corners & a very long lid, hinged at one of the narrow ends.

The edges of the box, both top and bottom, are decorated with continuous bands of very fine rocker engraving or wrigglework, with each band consisting of a large single 'wiggled' line topped with a 'wave' design.

The design is continued to the edges of the top, the lid, & the hinges of the box, with the lid having an engraved crest consisting of large wrigglework & bright cut pointed oval cartouche, with a festooned ribbon to the top, & with the centre of the cartouche containing an engraved, naked cubit arm erect holding a fleur-de-lys.

The lid has an attached, interior lip.

The plain base of the box is fully hallmarked with the Lion Passant Guardant (925 sterling), the date letter 'O' (1786 - 87), the Anchor (Birmingham), & the Left facing George III head (duty mark). The makers mark has been struck, but is too deep & obscure to read.

The hinge, although opening & closing fine, needs a little attention (if you require the box to be perfect). The hinge has 2 'joints' that turn on the lid, & 3 fixed 'joints' on the box. The pin that runs through the joints has snapped on the last 'joint' (thus the hinge turns on 4, rather than 5 joints). This has caused the lid to lift slightly on one side & has put pressure on the opposite hinge, which has a small fracture. This could be quite easily remedied by a competent silversmith replacing the pin.

Condition is Good, there are two small, shallow bruises to one side, one small bruise & expected wear to the base, & the interior lip is missing around 5mm. The hinge pin, as mentioned, could do with being replaced & the interior could benefit from a clean - overall, Good for a rare, 222 year old box - please see photos or e-mail for more.

The box measures approx 3 3/8" long, just over 1" wide, & 7/16" deep (approx 8.7, 2.8, & 1.3 cm).

The box weighs 35.1 g, 1.24 oz, or 1.13 Troy.

Overall, a rare George III, early Birmingham Silver Snuff box, beautifully worked with a stunning crest, & in Good condition for it's 222 years