Caixa Lodderein - Prata

Exquisite 19th-Century Dutch Silver Vinaigrette Box – Hallmarked with Walking Lion and Maker’s Mark

Presenting a rare and beautiful Dutch silver vinaigrette box from the 19th century, a stunning piece that showcases the elegance and craftsmanship of this period. This small yet intricate box is hallmarked with the walking lion, signifying its silver purity of 835, along with a maker’s mark attesting to its authenticity and origin. Such boxes were once cherished for their practical use, allowing individuals to carry fragrant vinegar-soaked sponges to mask unpleasant smells, while also serving as beautiful personal accessories.

Key Features:
• Period: 19th century, Dutch
• Material: Silver (835 purity, confirmed by the walking lion hallmark)

• Hallmarks:
o Walking lion: The Dutch hallmark for 835 silver
o Maker’s mark: Identifying the artisan or workshop where this piece was crafted

• Design: The box features a delicately crafted silver exterior, designed with the same level of care and attention to detail that characterized 19th-century silversmithing in the Netherlands. The small perforations inside allowed scents to escape, making it both functional and decorative.

• Dimensions: length: 3,5 cm. Height: 4 cm. Depth: 3 cm.

What is a Vinaigrette Box? In the 19th century, vinaigrettes were small, portable containers used to carry vinegar or aromatic oils soaked into sponges. They were designed to be both functional and decorative, often carried by both men and women to mask unpleasant odors during a time when sanitation wasn’t as developed as it is today. The vinaigrette’s clever design includes a pierced inner lid, which allowed the pleasant fragrance to gently diffuse while keeping the liquid secure. These boxes were popular among the upper classes, used not just for their practicality but also as a fashion statement, with many intricately decorated in fine silverwork.

The Vinaigrette will be packed with great care.