ANTIQUE 84 SILVER RUSSIAN SHADED ENAMEL TURQUOISE PILL BOX N. ZVEREV 1898-1912

Description

ANTIQUE 84 SILVER RUSSIAN SHADED ENAMEL TURQUOISE PILL BOX N. ZVEREV 1898-1912
This is a very nice silver Russian made shaded enamel covered box.
This one has beautiful shaded enamel work and is extremely colorful, displaying at least six different colors of enamel, with the primary colors being cream or ivory and turquoise.
The box in my photos is the actual piece you will receive.
Please be sure to read the “AGE AND CONDITION” and “
Approximate Dimensions”
paragraphs below.
This box is made in the hand enameled cloisonné technique for which the Russian craftsmen & craftswomen are so famous for.
The enamel decoration is incredibly intricate and detailed with the majority of the top, bottom and sides being covered in enamel.
The design motifs in the enamel repeats all around the body of the box.
Originally the exposed silver areas were covered with a gold gilding or wash, commonly referred to as vermeil, which has tarnished over time.
Inside the box the gold wash appears to be near mint with very little discoloration or obvious signs of use.
A testament to the quality of the box and how snugly the lid fits.
A very skillfully made, unusual and high-quality little box.
This particular piece has been in my personal collection since the year 2000.
The box has two hallmarks on the underside and has the same two hallmarks on the outside of the lid.
One of these marks has the number “84” (this would indicate a silver content of .875% pure silver) along with an unknown symbol to the right which may be an unidentified city mark.
Then, there is a second mark consisting of two Cyrillic letters which appears to be the maker’s mark of N. N. Zverev (who worked during the period 1898-1912), according to a very similar mark shown on page 16 in the book
Guide to Russian Silver Hallmarks
by Paul L Paulson.
I will mention at this point that I have not had the silver content of this box tested or verified by a jeweler.
Regardless, this is a fine quality, beautifully made and very desirable little box.
I do my best to describe all items as accurately as possible and to the best of my ability.
Some of my photos may be somewhat lighter or darker than actual to better show detail or color.
However, do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments, or with requests for additional pictures.
I will get back to you as soon as I am able.
I want your transaction with me to be exactly the way I want mine to be when I am the buyer.
Please take a moment and visit our eBay store “TNK Antiques”.
You can access our store through a link in any of our eBay listings.
Our store has many unique and interesting items in several different categories from 35 years of our dealing and collecting antiques and collectables.
Age and Condition
Circa 1898-1912.
The box is in excellent original condition.
Please look closely at the photos as they are an important part of my description of this item.
I see no dents, dings or breaks to the silver.
Using a loupe, I see only a couple places of extremely minor loss to the enamel decoration.
On the exterior, there is overall tarnish to the silver.
On the interior the gold wash is in near mint condition with only a very slight amount of discoloration and some light signs of use. Knowing that some collectors prefer the patina I made no attempt to clean the piece.
The box opens fine and closes crisply and latches as it should.
There is only a very slight amount of wobble to the hinge. P
lease keep in mind these photos may be blown up at least 8-10 times normal, so anything you see will look 8-10 times larger in the photos than it really is.
Please note: if you see a dark spot in the photos, it is from my camera and is not a mark on the piece.
It will be either just to the right of center towards the bottom or slightly above center on the right side of the photo.
Approximate Dimensions
The box is about 2.125” (5.4 cm) in diameter and sits about .75” (1.9 cm) off the table.
Approximate Weight
About 1.75 ounces (52 grams).
Depending on which state you live in eBay may add State Sales Tax on your purchase.
PAYMENT, SHIPPING, Insurance & PACKAGING
For auctions, if you do not send an instant payment through PayPal, I will send you an invoice within 24 hours of the end of the auction.
PayPal is my preferred method for receiving funds and payment is expected within 3 days of the completion of the auction.
I will normally ship within 1-2 business days of receiving payment in my PayPal account.
Shipment will be via the USPS First Class Mail at no additional shipping cost to the buyer in the USA.
A delivery confirmation (provides electronic tracking of the shipment) is included with all domestic shipments paid for through PayPal.
Please take the shipping costs into account when bidding.
If you purchase more than one item, I will do my best to combine shipping costs to save you as much as possible.
If you want your package insured, you must let me know in advance of payment.
This item will be professionally packaged for maximum protection in shipping.
INTERNATIONAL BUYERS
The only form of payment I accept from international buyers is Pay Pal.
No exceptions!
International shipments will encounter longer shipping times due to distance and Customs requirements.
The USPS says 6-10 business days, but it can take longer.
International buyers are responsible for all customs fees, duties, import taxes or other related customs or import charges and all our out-of-pocket costs incurred in the shipment of packages internationally.
International shipment options will be via USPS First Class Mail (when the item being shipped meets the requirements of that service) or Priority Mail when it does not.
DO NOT ask us to show a lesser value on the Customs Forms than the item sold for, or to ship the item purchased item as a gift.
Ebay requires us to report any buyer to them who requests this
.
RETURN POLICY
If for some reason you are unhappy with the item you purchased and would like to return it, please contact me within 14 days to discuss the details.
Refunds will be based on the original selling price of the item only and less any fees charged by eBay.
Buyers to pay all shipping costs both ways unless I substantially misrepresented the item or its condition.
Items must be returned within 30 days of you receiving it and in the same condition as originally shipped.