Contact Seller Arthur Vandyk Antiques Tel07904682990or01707272146Please quote Antiques Atlas.

Scandinavian Silver Hovedvansaeg Vinaigrette C1799

Name: Scandinavian Silver Hovedvansaeg Vinaigrette C1799
SKU: as1039a402
Price: 245.00 GBP
Availability: SoldOut

Photos

Contact SellerArthur Vandyk Antiques ▼

Arthur Vandyk Antiques are delighted to offer for sale this rare 18th Century Scandinavian silver Hovedvansaeg vinaigrette spice box of classical urn form, hand engraved with floral decoration, with two cartouches, one engraved with a monogram, the other the year 1799.

This beautiful silver box has two compartments, the main compartment is the spice or vinaigrette compartment (to hold a sponge socked in perfume) with the lower compartment designed to hold a small coin, to be put in the church collection. There are remnants of the original gilding in both compartments and two marks to the base.
Brief history.

The antique Hovedvandsaeg has its origin in Norway and Denmark.
It is the successor to the pomander, and called "vinaigrette" as the interior served as a receptacle for smelling salts or aromatic vinegar.

Small boxes of this form were generally given by young men as a "love tokens" to their "intended".
Dating from about 1725, the earliest Hovedvandsaeg were of heart form with a hinged foot

the foot sometimes (but not always) dated and bearing makers marks.

The details are:

Origin: Scandinavian, possibly Norwegian.
Age: Circa 1799

Dimensions:

Height: 8 cm

Weight: 40 grams

Condition report:

In overall good condition for its age however there is a slight split near the base, this is a clean even split and appears to follow a line where the base was fitted to the body, the base itself has been pushed in ever so slightly. All the hings are in good order and the lids close firmly, other than the mentioned damage it is in remarkably good condition for its age with light surface wear and tarnish marks to the exterior with the interior being heavily tarnished.

Please see the above photographs. Free Postage Within the U.K.
For international sales please contact us for a quote.

Price

£~~245.00~~

$~~328.18~~ USA

€~~279.84~~

The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 18/DEC/2025. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. Free postage within the UK for international postage please contact me.

Shipping information

Free Postage Within the U.K.
For international sales please contact us for a quote.