INDO PERSIAN AGATE / SILVER TABLE SNUFF BOX 106.7 GMS VINTAGE TUCSON ESTATE

Description

From an Armory Park historic neighborhood estate in downtown Tucson and likely produced for the European market is this vintage or possibly antique Indo-Persian silver table snuff box with banded agate lid - a slightly exotic and physically attractive container meant for some upper tier cosmopolitan home of that time. I'm assuming a traveler's discovery in some far off souk, though I suppose a chic orientalist venue in Paris is at least possible (well,  for those who frequented such and could afford the indulgence). The desirable social and decorative table necessity is obviously bench made and bears well executed vine work embellishment to the four sides - a punch dot workshop marking of Islamic numbers and an inverted heart symbol is seen to the bottom. The box has obvious age, though these are not an area of extreme expertise for me which makes dating with absolute certainty a bit problematic. Is it prewar vintage or actually antique - whatever, it comes from within a time when such "exotique" objects from Asia Minor and points further east were important indicators of status and benchmarks of prevailing taste. The configuration is also both functional and beautiful. Weight is very good for the form at about 106.7 grams on my portable digital scale. So you know the former owner was a collector of good snuff boxes, Spanish Colonial silver, antique Russian icons and other religious art, well you get the idea. Condition is quite fine with a distinct aura of time to all surfaces. The bevelled agate set into the lid top is well preserved - there is an unobtrusive natural internal line near one edge, there when cut and mentioned for accuracy. Some ancient crusty gunk seen along all four sides of the silver bezel may be the original adhesive used in mounting the agate or something left from subsequent use, I'm not sure which.  The silver is have now well toned. I prefer this and have avoided any urge to refresh the polish - an easy enough task if you are so inclined. The lid opens and closes as it should. The interior is fairly clean, though  with some old grunge in the corners. There are typical and expected signs of handling and decades on a table, good evidence of a genuine history. I'm attempting to nitpick for the obsessive, and a look at the pics should give a good idea of appearance and condition - a nice old Indo-Persian silver box. Size is about 2 5/16 horizontal and 1 25/32 in. front to back (not counting the thumb piece). About 1 1/16 in. vertical. If you prefer vintage and antique silver boxes for the road less travelled over that stuff at the mall, or simply wish a single visual improvement to the ambiance of some room in your home, this will have great meaning for you.
Payment Terms
PAYMENT WITHIN 10 DAYS OF AUCTION CLOSING. I ACCEPT PAYPAL AS PER EBAY RULES.
Shipping Terms
THIS IS LISTED AS U.S. ONLY; INTERESTED INTERNATIONAL BIDDERS PLEASE EMAIL. BUYER PAYS FOR SHIPPING. GENERALLY WILL SHIP US PRIORITY MAIL OR USPS FIRST CLASS WITH DELIVERY CONFIRMATION, BUT CAN NEGOTIATE; BOOKS GO MEDIA RATE.
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