A fine, hand hammered, sterling silver playing card box.  This is a very high quality silver box with a window in the top of the lid displaying the iconic ace of spades. complete with sueded covered fitted cedar wood lining. The inside of the lid of the box is also fully cedar wood lined, which is less common to find.  This is either because they were never lined in the first place, or have been damaged as many of these boxes now enter around one hundred years of age. 

The entire box, aside from the center glass area on the lid, has been meticulously hand hammered to produce this elegant and dimpled finish.  Techniques like this, and engine turning, were popular ways to add some dimensionality to what is, more often than not, a plain, simple silver box.  The shape is a classic soft edge rectangular one, but it is fairly deep allowing it to be practical for storing things. The front of the lid has a small protruding sterling lip which is added to help the opening and the closing.

The box was made by William Comyns of London.  It has a full set of London control assay marks for being made in London in 1902.  William Comyns made his mark as a silversmith in London, starting back in 1858 when he took over the business of Robert Tagg in Soho. Setting up shop in those original premises, Comyns quickly established a reputation for quality and innovation. As the business grew, his two sons—Charles and Richard—came on board in 1885, and the firm evolved into William Comyns & Son.

The late 19th century saw the company flourish, turning out striking silver decorative pieces that graced the shelves of top London retailers like Henry Lewis and Howell & James. William Comyns himself passed away in 1916, followed by Charles in 1925—famously, while attending a sale at Christie’s. The company became William Comyns & Sons Ltd in 1930, with Richard at the helm as permanent governing director.

After Richard’s death in 1953, Bernard Copping acquired the business. Today, William Comyns is still standing—one of the last of London’s true manufacturing silversmiths, with workshops in the heart of WC2

The box is presented in  excellent  condition, free from any damage, having an excellent hinge, with the lid closing snugly to the base. Two sets of crisp, matching hallmarks are present on the exterior side. The inside cedar wood lining is in excellent condition with the red suede interior.  There are two packs of playing cards presented inside the box.