Antique Solid Silver Victorian 'Castle Top' Cigar/Cheroot Case, Kenilworth Castle - Nathaniel Mills 1844

We are delighted to offer this wonderful Victorian solid silver 'castle top' cigar/cheroot case made by one of, if not the best, box make of the 19th century: Nathaniel Mills of Birmingham, 1844. Bearing the hallmarks of Nathaniel Mills, unsurprisingly, this case features splendid craftsmanship and aesthetics. Mills' works often include fine engravings and detailed acanthus motifs and this case is no exception with a profusely hand-engraved exterior of volute acanthus scrolls combined with one particular highlight; the 'Castle Top'. 'Castle Top' silverware, as the name suggests, refers to silverware with a castle depiction, normally found on snuff boxes, vinaigrettes and card cases - considered highly desirable by many collectors due to its scarcity and difference in scenes of varying rarity. Scenes of famous, popular and historic monuments were intricately and accurately depicted and made by leading silversmiths with the craftsmanship that enabled them to replicate the fine details of the real-life monuments. Such articles would have been usually gifted/purchased as a memoir of visiting such places or for those with a significant association with the depicted scenes. This particular cigar/cheroot case features Kenilworth castle, intricately engraved and depicted realistically. Kenilworth Castle was built during the Norman times and draws interest due to its historical survival, especially through notable periods such as the Norman and Tudor times, with its enduring charm and magnificent architecture surviving to this day. What is particularly impressive about the decoration on this case is that it has all been done by hand, without a single slip and one can imagine the meticulous craftsmanship and skill required to decorate such a challenging curved surface. This case fits up to approximately 3 petit-corona size cigars. Whether be it a wonderful collectable object of vertu or a practical cigar case for the discerning individual, this case is a remarkably stylish piece of antique silver bound to be a conversation starter and the perfect accoutrement for the sophisticated collector. Additionally, with some creative uses, it may also be used to hold some small sweets, objects or medicine in the modern day. An Idea for a day's outing: One sensational way to appreciate this article even further may be to bring it, should one ever have the opportunity to visit the castle, and try to locate the exact spot from which this scene was captured and compare the wonderful scenes you will be able to see. A full set of English hallmarks are present near the hinge of the case, on the opposite side of the castle. *Please note: all images with other items are for display purposes only, this listing is for the title item only. Size Size (cm) L:12cm W:5cm H:2.0cm Size (inches) L:4.72 W:1.96 H:0.78 Weight: 81 grams (2.60 Troy oz) Condition Good Condition - The cigar case is in good antique condition, with no major damage or issues. For accuracy: there is some wear to the high points of the engravings, particularly around the curved edges, however, the main castle remains very crisp. The reverse side features a cartouche that has a very minor ding that may be visible depending on the angle of reflection, as shown in the last image. We aim to overemphasize and state these issues to avoid disappointment and thus please rest assured they are not significant nor affect the usage of the items. Please refer to the photographs to examine the condition in further detail. Free Shipping Artisan Antiques offers free global shipping with professional, secure and discreet packaging. We will always ensure your items are packaged with the utmost care and see the delivery through to the end. In the very rare and unfortunate case of non-delivery/courier loss, you are full