Double Duty Silver Patch Box, 1797
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Patch Box - Cylindrical with Gilt Interior - London 1797 by Thomas Willmore (double duty mark) - 2.5cm diameter; 2.8cm high - VM/3387
This is a great Georgian silver patch box with the added interest of the duty mark struck twice.
Duty on silver was doubled in 1797 to help pay for the Napoleonic Wars; in order for the assay offices to identify which items had paid this extra duty, the provincial offices stamped the mark twice as can be clearly seen on this piece.
This cylindrical box has a pull-off domed cover and the interior is gilt. In addition to the duty mark being struck twice to denote the extra duty had been paid, the lion passant is also twice punched - no obvious reason for that other than an oversight by the assay office. The box is in fine antique condition.
