While waiting to check out at a neighborhood thrift shop, a trinket or mantel box, for lack of appropriate type/style, caught my eye. Intriqued by it, I picked it up to review the sale price, design, construction and any identifying marks. Upon inspection, intrigue turned to curiosity and I purchased the box to investigate it’s possible origin.

Admittedly and unfortunately, my research to date has garnered no information to the maker, type/process of construction or history of/to the box.

With pictures included, I will offer additional details that may be useful or relevant.

The finish of the body and lid appears silver. My assumption is it may be silver on copper, as there is coloring of the latter seen along the edge of the interior wall and bottom. Added to the seeming mix of materials, the flairing part of the exterior base/bottom looks brassy in tone. The finial/knob of the lid and knocker/drawer pull like side handles are more certainly brass.

I will make no guess to the type of pattern/design or the process for the embellishment of the metal box. The construction seems a bit rough with regards to the brazing welds on the bottom, how the side handles are attached and similar details to the hinge. Actually, those attributes are part of the charm, if indicators to an early creation of an apprentice or craftsperson.

The overall shape is oval in plan. The base is 5″ deep x 6 9/16″ wide x 1/4″ high (varies due to bent areas). The body is 3 3/8″ deep x 4 3/4″ long (not including the upper, round crimped edge) x 3 7/16″ high. The lid is 3 5/8″ deep x 4 7/8″ long x 7/8″ high without finial (the finial is 1 5/16″).

There is a name on the bottom of the base and the lid. The cursive style signature is a bit difficult to determine. The first name appears to be one of these three possibilities: Joe, Joc or Jac. The latter is known to be an abbreviation for Jacob. The last name has been more difficult. First consideration was “Hall”. Discovering the name also in the lid, a “W” is legible and possibly a middle initial rather than part of the last name. “LL” are about the only letters of the last name I am confident in determining.

Below the name on the bottom of the base, there are the numbers “33”. They appear to be hammer pressed/imprinted.

Any insight or information would be greatly appreciated. If further details may be of use, please let me know.

Thanks for your time and consideration.