Antique silver snuffbox or pillbox, decorated with niello, a type of black enamel applied to engraved cavities, very characteristic of 19th-century Russian and Balkan silverware. The lid features an engraved orientalist figurative scene with two figures in courtly poses, one offering a drink to the other, beneath an ornate architectural arch, surrounded by a symmetrical composition of oriental inspiration. It's a heavy piece, made of solid silver!
The body of the snuffbox is lavishly decorated on all sides with repetitive geometric motifs and borders that combine niello and burin engraving. The interior is gilded (vermeil), a common technique for this type of piece to protect the contents.
Characteristics: Approximate dimensions: 80 cm long and 4.7 cm wide. Weight: 85.58 grams **Composition: Main material: Nielloed silver. Hallmarks: Two hallmarks are barely visible, although we believe this box could be of Russian, Turkish, or Eastern European manufacture. Acid test: Performed. Other materials: No.
**Additional Details: These items are not new; they show signs of use and may have scratches and tarnish due to age. This box has some tarnished interior areas and wear on the exterior. Please review the photos carefully. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
