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This is one of those pieces where I think the age and wear make it better. The elaborate old Sheffield silver plate has developed layers of dark tarnish, oxidation and exposed warmer metal underneath, giving the otherwise very formal decoration a wonderfully imperfect look. I found it exactly this way and have intentionally left it unpolished.Vintage English Viners of Sheffield Alpha Plate cigarette box, dating approximately to the 1930s–1950s.The rectangular box has an extraordinarily detailed chased lid filled with scrolling foliage, shells, latticework and Rococo/Georgian Revival ornament surrounding a blank central cartouche.Open the lid and the contrast is fantastic: the interior is wood lined and divided into two compartments, originally designed to hold cigarettes. The underside retains its old green felt covering.The inside of the lid carries the extensive Viners maker’s mark:CORPORATE MARK
ALPHA beneath crown
GRANTED BY THE CUTLERS COMPANY 1836
ALPHA PLATE
VINERS OF SHEFFIELD
ENGLAND
CHASEDThe 1836 date refers to the historic corporate mark granted by the Cutlers Company and is not the manufacture date of this particular box.Originally a tabletop cigarette box, today I think it’s even better repurposed as a jewelry box, watch box, desk box, trinket box or simply a decorative object. It has enough presence to sit beautifully on a coffee table, dresser, bar or desk, and the empty cartouche keeps the design from feeling overly personalized.Condition: Offered in as-found, unpolished vintage condition. There is substantial tarnish, oxidation, discoloration, scratching and wear/loss to the silver-plated surface, particularly around the sides and edges, with warmer base metal visible in areas. The aged surface has intentionally not been polished or restored. Wood-lined divided interior and green felt underside remain present. Please examine all photographs closely as they are an important part of the condition description.Maker: Viners of Sheffield
Line: Alpha Plate
Country: England
Material: Silver-plated metal with wood-lined interior
Decoration: Chased
Approximate era: 1930s–1950s
Measurements: approximately 7.5” wide × 4.5” deep × 1.85” high
