Antique Victorian Sterling Silver & Enamel Vesta Box 1889

Exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver and enamel vesta box; an addition to our range of collectable silver vesta boxes and cases. This exceptional antique Victorian vesta box, in sterling silver, has been realistically modelled in the form of a woven fishing basket. The rounded surface of the antique vesta case is ornamented with impressive engraved chevron designs replicating the details of basket weave, in addition to a plain band and buckle design reproducing a strap. This 19th century silver and enamel vesta case is fitted with a plateaued hinged cover, ornamented with an impressive hot enamel panel depicting a fish* on a terrain surface. The cover opens to reveal the original gilded interior; this has worn with age in a sympathetic fashion to an aesthetically pleasing mellow colour. The underside of the case bears a serrated panel/match striker, in addition to the full hallmarks and Austro-Hungarian import mark (A, Wien/Vienna). This exceptional box is the finest example of its type you could hope to acquire; such boxes crafted in this high quality are rare to the market. Note: * This fish pertains anatomical characteristic similarities to a pike. Maker: G Watts & Co (George Watts) Origin: London, England