Victorian Novelty Silver Registered Design Combination Shoe Vesta Case & Seal
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A very unusual Victorian novelty cast silver Table Vesta Case 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. Engraved striker to the base.
By E H Stockwell, London, 1877.
Also stamped with a diamond registration mark for the 17th April 1874.
Walter Thornhill of Thornhill & Co, 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".
Sold - £995.00