A large and unusual sterling silver and crystal box.  This is a wonderful quality and most unusual box.  The combination of the crystal and sterling is not often found on boxes from the early 1900's.  Very clean in its overall appearance with an unadorned sterling, soft rectangular lid and edge atop of a very thick and heavy crystal base, the box would look at home in the most modern of homes.  The only real detail is the period typical star hand engraved into the base of the crystal.

The body is plain throughout, as the move away from highly decorated boxes from the Victorian period gave way to a paired back aesthetic during Edwardian times before a more decorative move again began during the Art Nouveau and the Art Deco movements.  The interior of the lid and hinge are also very plain.  There is a quarter inch border around the top of the crystal which frames the box well when the lid is open.  The condition of the box throughout is impeccable.  It would make a wonderful addition for any study or library.  Once open the box is long, at five and a half inches long by two and one third inches deep.  This makes for a practical as well as decorative addition to a room.

There are a series of hallmarks to the edge of the spine of the lid, as can be seen from the photograph, which also captures a charming air bubble trapped in the making of the box. This is highlighting the country of origin, silver content and maker. In this case it is the "Crescent and crown" (Halbmond und Reichskrone) for silver for German silver.  '800', for 800 parts per 1000 of purity of the metal, and an adjoined "HB" for the maker;  Behrnd Hermann.  Hermann was a court jeweller and silversmith operating since 1870 out of Dresnden.  His work is excellent, and this box is no exception. A study in quality and elegance.  Made in Germany, circa 1910.