Charles II Silver Thread Box, c.1680

Seventeenth century boxes for holding cotton thread are extremely rare, but we are fortunate to be able to offer a typical example of the type to have been made during the late Charles II period.

This small, plain circular box with reeeded bands has a pull-off cover with a sliding plate for closing off the thread aperture. It is engraved with original "E*P" initials to the underside adjacent to which can be seen the maker's mark "WP" with two pellets above and one below, which we have been unable attribute but is most likely to be of London manufacture. It is in fine original condition.

See "Investing in Silver" by Eric Delieb for another example of a thread box (page 117).