Of heavy gauge silver in a circular lidded form,
pierced to the sides with vertical slats and circlets between reeded upper and lower borders,
the hinged cover also pierced with radiating slats and circlets
around a shaped opening and having a hinged crescent shaped extinguisher / cutter;
the swing-out side handle of buckle form; crisp marks verso and good hinges

Provenance: Alastair Dickenson Ltd., London

Bougie boxes of a pierced nature are exceptionally rare.

"Bougie" is French for candle,
and so named by the French for an Algerian city known for trading in candle wax.
Their use dates from the early 18th century on the Continent and the mid-18th century in England.

These small cylindrical boxes held wax-taper coils,
the cover having a small hole through which the coiled taper could emerge for lighting.
In England, the bougie box became a piece of desk equipment, similar to the wax jack,
for lighting heating sealing wax.

Condition : Excellent, with wear appropriate to age and usage; good marks but pierced through,

original silver solder lines show slightly at rim attachment; hinge closing tightly, with wear to one end of the hinge covering.

1.5" High / 2" Wide / 1.5oz.

SOLD

#7843

Please Inquire

2021 - NEW & INCOMING CATALOG

Accessories     Ceramics    Early Asian Ceramics      Fine Art    Furniture     Glassware     Silver     Home

Rare George III Pierced Silver Bougie Box, Richard Glanville, London 1777 

© The images, concepts and text herein are subject to copyright.

Should you wish to reproduce any part of this site's content, simply request permission.

We also ask that any reproduction be attributed properly.