www.925-1000.com

Hello,

I have a small (45 mm diam) silver pill box with an enamel top complete with silver crown and letter F. The inside of the box is gilded and the marks are on the bottom of the box. I would appreciate help in identifying the country of manufacture, the probable date and maker. I am unsure if this item is French.

Thanks and regards,
Trevorg

Hi Trevor,

They are Egyptian marks. The lotus flower (centre mark) was introduced in 1946.

The date letter, I believe, is the one on the right of your mark image. Below is a link to a chart identifying the date letters.

http://www.mfti.gov.eg/affiliates/Natio ... ts/A03.htm

Hopefully someone else can identify the town of assay.

Regards, Trev.

Hi Trev,

Thank you, this has pointed me in the right direction (and not the direction I thought I would be going!). I believe the assay office was Cairo and the date letter is 1946 but welcome further advice.

Regards,
Trevor

Trevor,

The crown with large capital F caught my eye, looked up the coat of arms for King Farouk of Egypt and Sudan. There does seem to be a match there. Note the crescent moon with star at the top of the crown which appears in Farouk's monogram and insignia. He reigned from 1936-1952, your date of 1946 would have been the 10th anniversary of his accession to the throne.

This may allow you to identify the silversmith/jeweler who created your box.

A lovely object, enjoy it.
Warren

Hello Warren,

Thank you for your reply. My research has also identified the box to be associated with King Farouk and particularly that similar boxes were given to guests at his wedding to Queen Farida in 1938. A silver and enamel box matching the same description was also reputedly found on his body when he died.

Other than that I can find no information of who the silversmith was who may have made it or who enamelled the lid, which is particuarly striking. The search continues.

Regards,
Trevor