Accession Number

2009.003.001.013

Description

One pierced, repousseed and embossed sterling silver and wood footed holder for a jar or box with the jar or box and possibly its lid missing.

Narrative

This box or jar holder is part of a fine 13-piece silver dresser set assembled and owned by Laura Miller Dunsmuir (nee Surles). The set is unusually large and of very high quality. A Canadian woman of Mrs. Dunsmuir's wealth and social status during the Victorian and Edwardian eras would typically have had a dresser set similar to this one.

This object appears to have once held a container that may or may not have had a lid or cover. It may have once held cosmetic powder or some other substance used on the body. It might also have once held a vase, such as a cut glass example.  

History of Use

This holder is part of a fine 13-piece silver dresser set assembled and owned by Laura Miller Dunsmuir (nee Surles). She used it at her house Burleith, at Government House while her husband James served as Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, and at her residence Hatley Park. After her death, it was passed down through her descendents until acquired by The Castle Society.

Date

1900 – 1910

Dimensions

9.5 cm x 9.5 cm

Material

Metal, silver; Wood; Fabric

Technique

Repoussed; Embossed

School/Style

rococo revival

Inscription

An unidentified maker's mark and STERLING and 285