A fantastic over-the-top Victorian silver plate jewel box by one of the great American silver plate companies. It has beveled glass, silk lining, and many etched designs.The lid has a rectangular piece of beveled glass to look into the chamber. The inner chamber is lined in a pale blue silk. The body is rectangular, rests on four low ornate feet, and has ornate handles on both ends. The handles move and remind me of door knockers. The lid and body have extensive etched designs with hunting themes, including hunting dogs and stags. There are two cartouche panels on the front and back of the body. The back is not engraved but the front panel has an engraving that is hard to make out completely due to the style of cursive. It looks like, “ W.J.G. to BIJOUTERI M & F.”The words. “ JAMES W. TUFTS BOSTON WARRANTED TRIPLE PLATE” encircling a four pointed star with T in the center, and the production number 2543 are stamped on the base.MEASUREMENTS6 ¾” (17.1 cm) wide x 3 ¾” (9.5 cm) deep x 4 ¼” (10.8 cm) tall. Weighs 1 lb 9.5 oz (725 g)CONDITIONThe two front legs are bent; one more so than the other. The glass in the lid sags if not set back in place. There are silver losses but some silver remains over most of the piece. The silk lining is fraying, faded and soiled, it’s amazing it’s still there at all though after a good 140 years!An amazing, detailed, antique jewelry box that indeed looks like a casket from the 19th century. It’s very Gothic.ITEM IDS-2884STYLEGothicAGELate 19th CenturyCREATORJames TuftsCOLORBlue, SilverORIGINUnited States • AmericanPURPOSEBoxesITEM TYPEAntique

Excellent