An assembled pair of Charles II / William and Mary sterling silver toilet boxes, London 1683/91 by Anthony Nelme

Each of square form with canted corners with applied rims, each with pull off stepped lids. The lids engraved with a coat of arms within foliate mantling, the bases with crests of a close helmet in profile plumed. Each fully marked to the interior, one lid with makers mark and lion passant, the other lid with marks for London 1669 and partial makers mark ?B, with additional lion passant and makers mark for Nelme. (2)

Length – 8.4 cm / 3.25 inches

Weight – 314 grams / 10.1 ozt

The use of the old plate in the manufacture new items was a common occurrence, however unusually on this occasion the old marks have been preserved while being updated by the both the workshop of Nelme and the assay office by applying the lion passant. After 1720 with the increased duty on plate as well as the return to sterling standard, the marks on old 17^th century items were often cut and transposed into newly fashioned articles contravening the governance of the assay office.

A pair of similarly sized and formed toilet boxes by Nelme of 1686 was sold Christie’s New York, 17 May 2002, Lot 202 ($10,000 incl. premium)