Early 1800s Antique Ashbil Griswold Round Pewter Soap Box Mirror in Hinged Lid
Description: A beautiful antique round pewter box with a hinged lid. The hinged lid is equipped with a mirror on the inside. The box was used to store soap in your luggage when traveling or around your home for use. The box has a round flat base with outwards slanted and rising sides ending in a plain edge supporting a hinged lid. The side of the box is decorated with three incised lines in the middle. The lid which has a raise center (housing the mirror) is also decorated with incised clines forming concentric circles. with one set along the edge of the raised portion and the second set in the center of the lid. The lid is hinged and the hinge appears to be intact and works as it should. The box is marked on the bottom of the base with the letters A.G within a rectangle for Ashbil Griswold of Meriden Connecticut who was active in the period 1802-1842. This box is similar to the box exhibited in the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum in New York (Object Number: 62.89.3) and similar to the one exhibited at the Yale Art Gallery (Object 1931-294). The box has acquired a nice and warm gray patina with age and really looks great. This is a rather unusual box of uncommon shape that is very well made. A true antique of the highest quality worthy of a spot in your collection of antique boxes. Please carefully review the photos as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: 1807-1835, according to the Metropolitan website.
Origin: Purchased at an estate auction in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The piece was made in Meriden Connecticut, USA.
Size: Measures ~3 5/8” in diameter at the base, ~4 1/4" diameter at the top, with the lid being ~4 3/8" in diameter. The piece is ~1 3/4" high and weighs about 7 ounces.
Maker: Ashbil Griswold.
Marks: Marked on the bottom of the base with the letters A.G within a rectangle for Ashbil Griswold of Meriden Connecticut (Jacobs mark no. 155).
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: This is definitely a nice quality antique box, which deserves a spot in your pewter or antique box collection.
Condition: Box is in good condition given its age and utilitarian function. It has no cracks, breaks, or repairs. The hinge is in good condition and works very well. The box has scratches, bumps to the surface, a few dings along the edges, pitting especially in the inside and on the bottom of the piece, and has uneven surfaces throughout.be that as it may, it is still a great looking box and, in our opinion, looks as good if not better than the examples at the Metropolitan and the Yale Art museums. A great piece to display in your collection. Please see the photos for additional condition information.
