Victorian Novelty Silver Registered Design Combination Shoe Bonbonniere & Seal

A very unusual Victorian novelty cast silver Box made in the form of a high heeled lace-up Shoe, a bloodstone Seal matrix to the base of the heel, the curved hinged lid opening to reveal a gilded interior. Attached suspension ring.

By E H Stockwell, London, 1873.

Also stamped with a diamond registration mark for the 17th April 1874 and engraved with the retailers name - Thornhill, 144 New Bond Street.

Walter Thornhill registered this design in 1874 for a number of possible uses (see images) including a light box (vesta case), an etui, a seal, an inkstand, a spirit lamp, a lozenge box, a scent bottle, a stamp box etc, etc. However, an advert placed by Thornhill in "The Queen" in 1888 (see images) illustrates an exact replica of this box and describes it as a "SHOE BONBONNIER & SEAL".

£975.00