Box - .950 silver - French silver box

France – Round box in 950‑fine silver vermeil – Mid‑19th century

Elegant round box made of solid 950 fineness silver, of French manufacture, dating to the mid‑19th century.
The piece features refined hand‑guilloché engraving, composed of ultra‑fine concentric wavy lines and a geometric dot decoration, characteristic of high‑quality French silverware of this period.

The interior preserves its original gilding (vermeil), a technique used both to protect the silver from oxidation and to enhance the elegant character of the object.

This type of box was normally intended to store snuff, cosmetic powders, pills, small sweets, or other personal objects.

The box bears hallmarks on both the lid and the base. The Minerva head is visible, the official French mark used to certify silver of 950 thousandths, confirming the metal quality and its French origin.

The piece stands out for the precision of its execution, the harmony of its proportions, and the excellent condition of its original decoration.

Characteristics:
• Country: France
• Period: Mid‑19th century
• Material: 950 fineness silver
• Interior: Vermeil (original gilding)
• Decoration: Hand‑guilloché engraving
• Shape: Circular
• Diameter: 6 cm
• Height: 2 cm
• Weight: 45 g

Condition: Very good for its age, with light signs of use consistent with the passage of time. The guilloché remains perfectly defined and the interior gilding is in very good condition.

A refined piece of 19th‑century French silverware, ideal for collectors of antique boxes, vanity items, and high‑quality European silver.