Early pierced baskets were heavy, magnificent pieces but these are rare. Eighteenth century examples were oval, rectangular or circular with a flat base and ornately-pierced sides, often featuring two small cabled silver handles which were later superseded by the swing type. Huguenot silversmiths were much acclaimed for their fine pierced and embossed baskets, and superb examples of their work, which clearly show why they were so admired, can be seen in various stately homes and museums.

However, some of their achievement must also be attributed to the English invention of the rolling-mill which had been improved by 1728, allowing the production of a fine gauge silver for more complicated piercing. (more…)

Counter boxes are generally tubular in shape, approximately one-and-a-half inches high and about one inch in diameter, though sometimes less. Lid might be sparingly decorated, perhaps with floral engravings, piercing, or embossed with an impression of the sovereign’s bust. The exterior of the circular body was often strengthened by ribbing. The counters, which were decorated in a similar fashion to the lid, were used instead of money in games. They might also, therefore, resemble thinner versions of contemporary coins. Their number varied but it was seldom less than 20. Sides of the boxes were also sometimes pierced. (more…)

At the beginning of Queen Anne’s reign the taking of snuff became popular in England, thought to be as a result of the vast amounts which infiltrated the London market following the capture of Spanish ships carrying snuff in the action of Vigo Bay. It had been introduced to Europe many years before, the Spaniards having first tried it following the discovery by Cortes of Mexicans taking snuff in 1520. The taking of snuff persisted despite two popes issuing bulls against the strange new habit, and, in fact, became exceedingly fashionable during the eighteenth century. It still has a following today. (more…)

The name of these tiny, shallow boxes often puzzles people since they think of vinegar in terms of its culinary implications. However, in this case it refers to an aromatic acid-based liquid to which these little boxes owe their existence. The introduction of this concentrated aromatic vinegar, which might contain camphor, lavender, cinnamon, bergamot or other pungent-smelling ingredients, meant that a very much smaller type of sponge box could be carried and used on its own as a type of smelling ‘bottle’, the sponge emitting the concentrated perfume in which it had been soaked. Originally such boxes were described as aromatic vinegar boxes and were simply very small editions of the sponge box, which resembled a snuff box. During the 1780s a change occurred in their basic design, however, and a pierced, hinged inner lid was incorporated, beneath which would be placed the tiny piece of soaked sponge, thus when the outer lid was opened, the aromatic vinegar could be inhaled through the pierced grille or inner lid. Old sponges found in vinaigrettes today may still possess some of their original aroma. (more…)