~ Early Victorian Silver Castle Top Newstead Abbey In Nottinghamshire Vinaigrette By Nathaniel Mills 1837 ~
A silver 'Castle Top' vinaigrette by the famous Birmingham silversmith Nathaniel Mills, dated for 1837.
The small rectangular vinaigrette has a relief carved scene of Newstead Abbey in Nottinghamshire to the top of the lid and engine
turned decoration to underside.
The hinged lid opens to reveal a gilt interior. Unfortunately the grill is missing.
The piece is hallmarked for Birmingham sterling silver, dated for 1837 and bearing the mark 'NM' for Nathaniel Mills.
~ Dimensions ~
The piece measures 37mm by 26mm with a depth of 9mm.
It weighs 19.0g.
~ Condition ~
As mentioned the vinaigrette is missing its interior grill.
There is a small dent/scratch to the underside and a mark to the gilt interior (lower section).
Aside from this the piece is in a very nice condition. The image is crisp with no marks and the hinged lid works well.
~ Nathaniel Mills ~
Nathaniel Mills (& Sons) were a 19th century Birmingham silversmiths who excelled in the making of silver boxes, vinaigrettes, snuff
boxes and visiting card cases.
Nathaniel Mills the Elder (1746–1843) contributed to popularization of the so-called castle-top silver vinaigrettes and visiting card cases
engraved with British landmarks.
He became one of the most prolific Birmingham box makers at the time introducing many different designs.
