THIS AUCTION IS FOR A RARE ANTIQUE BILSTON ENAMEL ON COPPER PATCH BOX WHICH DATES CIRCA 1780 AND MEASURES APPROX. 4.5 CMS BY 3.5 CMS AND IS APPROX. 2.3 CMS IN DEPTH.

THIS CHARMING LITTLE BOX IS MADE OF WHITE ENAMEL WITH FLORAL DECORATION AROUND THE BASE. IT HAS BRASS RIMS AND HINGE AND THE LID HAS THE FOLLOWING VERSE WRITTEN IN BLACK SCRIPT

"THOU ALONE

HAST POW'R TO PLEASE

LOVE AND GIVE

THY LOVER EASE"

THE BOX OPENS TO REVEAL A PLAIN WHITE ENAMEL INTERIOR WITH MIRROR UNDER THE LID.

THIS QUINTESSENTIALLY ROMANTIC BILSTON BOX IS OFFERED IN GOOD CONDITION FOR IT'S AMPLE AGE. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF CRACKS TO THE LID WHICH ARE NOT TOO BAD AND ONE RUNS ACROSS THE FIRST WORD OF THE VERSE WHICH I CAN'T MAKE OUT. THE BASE CORNER APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN REPAIRED, AS SHOWN. THE INTERIOR MIRROR HAS SOME DESILVERING AROUND THE EDGES AND A FEW SPOTS HERE AND THERE BUT RETAINS A GOOD REFLECTION. THERE ARE NO OTHER CHIPS, CRACKS OR SIGNS OF RESTORATION AND THE BOX IS SOUND AND STABLE. THESE ANTIQUE BOXES ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY HARD TO FIND AND THIS ONE IS OFFERED AT LOW START AND NO RESERVE. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING.