Fine Old DUTCH Sterling Repousse TEA CADDY-Slide Bottom-English Import 1891-NR

Description

For sale is an antique Dutch silver tea caddy with English import marks.  The piece is about 5 1/8 inches tall by 3 ¾ inches wide by 2 ¼ inches deep and weighs 234 grams.  The top has beaded decoration, which is repeated on the edge of the slide-on cylindrical cap.  The cap top has a windmill scene.  The sides have repousse tavern scenes in high relief, with the end scenes being roughly the same.  The bottom slides out as shown for filling.  It has not been monogrammed.  It is marked on the bottom with an indistinct square mark, an Amsterdam town mark, a shield, a Dutch 1
st
standard assay mark with an impinging key for export, as well as a crowned “O” import mark and a [CB] or [CR] maker’s mark.  There is a Dutch guarantee mark on one side near the rim as well.  Finally, there, are English foreign assay marks on both the cap and bottom, as well as an English [ETB] sponsor’s mark and London import assay marks for 1891-92.  It appears to be an old piece of Dutch silver, but with the odd array of marks it is more likely contemporary with the import assay
Condition on the tea caddy is fairly good.  The sides are pushed in slightly, and there is visible solder around the base, likely from a repair to an old split at the seam.  The bottom slide is slightly bent and there are the normal dings and surface wear from regular handling and use.  A fine piece of old Dutch silver!