Victorian Folding Biscuit Box
£325
Item: Silver Plated Victorian Folding Biscuit Box
Origin: England, c. 1870
A very pretty Victorian English folding biscuit box/warmer, being silver plated and having an oval barrel-shaped banded body. The central bands having raised floral pattern. The barrel sits in scroll-style mechanical frame with carrying handle and ring clasps.
When opened, this precious box reveals two biscuit compartments which are covered by a grill with heart-shaped piercing. The grill folds up and slides through the centre of the box, sitting upright when fully opened and creating a double serving dish.
Very fashionable in the Victorian era, they would have stored a variety of items and had a multitude of uses. As well as serving as a portable cookie jar and a posh lunchbox (seriously!), they were also used to warm biscuits by the fire.
This charming example is approximately 9 inches tall (24 cm), 6 inches (15 cm) wide and opens out flat to approx. 12 inches (30 cm). The only impressed mark is the number ‘9’ stamped into the grill. However, it would have been made in England around 1870 and, given the heart-shaped motifs inside, most likely given as a gift to a loved one.
Condition:
Overall, the biscuit box is superb with no pitting, just minor scratches and light tarnish. The barrel does not close completely, leaving a small gap (approx. 1/4 inch) – this is probably restorable (and advisable if to be used as a lunchbox! lol)
