Sunday 17 July 2011

A John Reily Silver Snuff Box

Silver Snuff Box by John Reily, London 1808
This is the other silver snuff I recently acquired. Made by John Reily and hallmarked London, 1808, it really is in remarkably good condition, the engine turned decoration having only minimal wear
Interior gilding
The gold wash inside the box is certainly original and shows only minor scratches. I suspect this box was not as heavily used as the Phipps & Robinson box I posted about yesterday.
Underside of the box
Even the bottom of the box shows only minor wear near the corners. This box is definitely going to get rather more use in my hands!
Interior detail
The hinge is in excellent condition and the box is as near snuff proof as they get.
Main hallmark
Lid hallmark
The hallmarks are crisp and clear, as can be seen in the photographs. The 'IR' mark was registered in February 1801 and the maker seems to have been active until at least the mid-1820s, though the style of the mark changed and was registered in June 1823. John Reily's son Charles was also a London silversmith.

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