This travel necessaire would have accompanied a Dutch gentleman during his day in the 18th Century. Made from solid silver, it was a luxurious accessory that was not only practical but also displayed someone's wealth and status, and was therefore carefully crafted. The sides are decorated with caryatids, a motif borrowed from architecture.
When opened, it has several tools that could be used for personal hygiene and for the cleaning and preparing of a pipe. It has a swivel signet on one side, which carries the initials 'CL', and would have been used to seal up letters. The corkscrew-like handle on the other end also holds four other tools which can be pulled out: a pricker, a scratcher, a pipe stopper, and a little ear spoon.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Size: 68 x 34 x 8 mm.
Weight: 26.50 grams
Age: 18th Century, circa 1750s.
Material: Hallmarked for 835/1000 silver. There is also a faded makers mark on the top of the handle, which I was not able to identify.
Condition: In good antique condition, with only minor wear, consistent with its age. The silver has created a patina over the centuries, making it blackish in places. This could easily be cleaned but I have decided to leave it on for now: feel free to let me know if you want to have it to have a mild clean after purchasing.
Please note that this store is based in the EU. Buyers from outside the EU might be subject to import duties.