RARE FINE QUALITY 18TH CENTURY HOVEDVANDSAEG SOLID SILVER SPICE BOX -VINAIGRETTE

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RARE FINE QUALITY 18TH CENTURY HOVEDVANDSAEG SOLID SILVER SPICE BOX -VINAIGRETTE:
$244.67

RARE FINE QUALITY 18TH CENTURY HOVEDVANDSAEG SOLID SILVER SPICE BOX - VINAIGRETTE

Circa 1750

This is a Rare 18th Century Hovedvandsaeg Solid Silver Spice Box - vinaigrette, crafted circa 1750 making it over 260 years old, this superb Hovedvandsaeg Spice Box - Vinaigrette is breath taking, it is a beautiful Heart shape and the body has a wonderful smooth finish which contrast beautifully with the early hand engraved flower to the centre which is framed in a circular border, you can see this is a very naive hand engraving and what makes this extra special is on the other side you will see the initials of the couple it belonged to which has been hand engraved in a dotted design, to the top of the spice box it has been mounted with an exquisite silver crown that still retains most of the original gold gilt finish,, this rare 18th century Hovedvandsaeg Spice Box still retains traces of its original gold gilt to the flower to the front and also the inside is beautiful with its gold gilt interior, the hinged lid still closes with a lovely firm sounding snap, these 18th Century Spice box\'s are called Hovedvandsaeg in Scandinavia. They were given by young men as a love token declaring their intentions of marriage. The monogram engravings in the back are of the bridal couple. Today many wedding couples use them as ring boxes, or they are often used as a pendant in a necklace, this isnt hallmarked but that isnt unusual for this period in time, it has been tested and is solid silver, the quality of the craftsmanship is superb, this would have once belonged to a wealthy Lady of the 18th Century, it would have been a cherished love token in a time when things were so very different, it is so very tactile and once held it has the most wonderful feel. This will add something very special to any collection, my photos dont do it justice,

Hovedvandsaeg

it was with this type of spice box from Scandinavia that a young man indicated his intentions by presenting a \'hovedvandsæg\' (in Denmark) to the young lady of his choice (\'Svampehus\'-sponge house- and \'luktevannshus\' -perfumed egg- in Norway).It literally means \'head-water egg\' i.e. an \'egg\' to contain \'water\' to revive the senses.It is the successor of the pomander and should also be called \'vinaigrette\', since it was used for smelling salts or aromatic vinegar.Large numbers of these containers, in a variety of styles, date from the 18th century and are often personalised with pin pricked initials.\'Hovedvandsæg\' are of various forms from about 1725. The earlier ones are heart shaped. Sometimes they have a standing foot which opens, sometimes just a foot and sometimes no foot.

Date...circa 1750

Measurements.......6.5 cm height....nearly 4 cmwide

Weight.....33 grams

Condition,....For it\'s early age the box is overall in fine condition, it has a very old repair to the hinge and inside the hinge has an old split, though its still in lovely working condition, that being said it doesnt detract at all from its rare beauty, just mentioned for accuracy

Thanks for looking

All Antique silver items will show some signs of wear, which only adds to the history of the object, .....study the photos before offerding , Thank you