This delightful lidded box is known as an etui (small, decorative case). Etuis were made to contain all sorts of personal accessories. The most common item contained in an etui was a small scent bottle. Larger etuis typically contained ear picks, snuff spoons, pencils, and knives of various types for various purposes. Physicians often carried an etui that contained a set of bleeding knives. You identified this object as a needle case. Unless there is some specific part of its interior construction to suggest that it was intended as a repository for needles (such as a series of small compartments), then I suspect it was more likely a scent bottle case that is missing its scent bottle. Such shaped etuis are known to have been made in Birmingham during this period for containing scent bottles. An example of a similar object made in Birmingham in 1807 by Joseph Taylor is shown on page 64 of Kenneth Crisp Jones' book The Silversmiths of Birmingham and Their Marks: 1750-1980. Whatever its original function, your lidded box appears to be a very nice example of Pemberton's work. Kindest regards, Geoffrey Axt

Keeley Collins writes:
... Cindy wrote about a 'Sheffield Plate' bowl and wanted some info on the maker/age.
The mark pictured is not particularly helpful, but I may have found a reference to the shield with a figure in it with vertical lines running through it.
Cindy, can you get a copy of 'Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufaturers' by Dorothy Rainwater & Martin/Collette Fuller? You can find it in your local library, or have them order it for you. There is a photo of a mark like the one you describe on page 286. There is a shield with vertical lines and a Knight on a horse, with a 'K' in the upper left corner. If this is the mark you see, it is ascribed to Mary C. Knight listed as a metalworker with The Society of Arts and Crafts in Boston circa 1902-1927.
Sheffield Plate is named for the process in Sheffield, England, but if it is heavy, it may be silver-on-copper (do you see some copper coloring coming through?). Silverplating was in varying thicknesses and generally will wear off with cleaning over time.
Most modern articles recommend polishing once a year with a gently wash. If you love it, it can be replated, but this is an expensive undertaking. Estes Silver in Atlanta Georgia has the ability to do this, and to appraise your item.
Regards,
Keeley Collins  

Rick Bakke receives this reply about his set of tea spoons question (February Newsletter) :

Charls C. Cage writes:
... I recently applied for membership, so hope you will permit to share with you some information on Rick Bakke's grandmother's spoons which appear in the new February newsletter.
The city mark on these spoons is that of Karlsruhe, Germany, and the maker EK is Ernst Kölitz, court goldsmith & perhaps the most prolific maker in mid-19th century Karlsruhe.
Sincerely,
Charles C. Cage.

 

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"A page per month"

in this new column we present a page (one page only) obtained by makers' brochures, books, auction catalogs or whatever other printed paper, that may be of particular interest for ASCAS members.
The images will be published at a "low resolution" level and for private and personal use only

This is the image of page 169 of the Catalog N. 14 December 1932 published by SOCIETA' ANONIMA A. CALDERONI - Via Durini 31 Milano (Milan - Italy). The page illustrates three 800/1000 silver "Centri tavola" (Centerpieces) and a crystal and silver vase. Surprisingly the centerpiece on the top is the same of Giampiero Ierbulla (see question in this Newsletter) bearing Umberto Malinverni - Milano hallmark. I assume that, in this case, Calderoni firm acted as retailer for some Malinverni production.

Calderoni centerpiece

Malinverni centerpiece

8150 Beautiful solid silver, hand made fruit or sweetmeet cup, with chiselled dragons on the sides. Measures 35x20 cm. Lire 360 (it's interesting to note the 1932 sale price of Lire 360 = 0,18 EUR = 0,21 US$)

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A S C O T T

ASCAS member David Shlosberg, the author of the book Eighteenth Century Silver Tea Tongs, has the intention to set up a group for collectors of Tea Tongs to enable an exchange of knowledge and expertise between those fortunate enough to own examples of these delightful artefacts.
The name of the new entity is ASCOTT (A Society for Collectors Of Tea Tongs).
More information about this new group are available on Dr. Shlosberg web site at http://www.silverteatongs.com/index.php?f=data_home&a=2

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A new web site

ASCAS member Raoul Verbist has created his new web site titled CHAMBRES DE MES AMIS (in French)
The address is www.chambresamis.org

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Closing our March 2006 edition of ASCAS Newsletter I hope you have appreciated its content.
Your comments, suggestions and advice will be of great help.

My thanks to Geoffrey Axt (USA), Charles C. Cage (USA), John Chittenden (USA), Keeley Collins (USA), Ludo D'Haese (Belgium), Jayne Dye (USA), Ellen Fuerst (USA), Candice Hern (USA), Giampiero Ierbulla (Italy), Mark Mandel (Canada), Leslie Salvage (USA), David Shlosberg (UK), Raoul Verbist (Belgium), for their invaluable contributions.

Giorgio Busetto
Secretary