Wonderful Antique English Hallmarked Sterling Silver Vanity Brush Set Presentation Box Purple Celluloid Guilloché Style Edwardian Home Decor

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A wonderful example of early 20th-century English vanity accessories, this matched pair of antique sterling silver-backed brushes is presented in … Read more A wonderful example of early 20th-century English vanity accessories, this matched pair of antique sterling silver-backed brushes is presented in its original fitted presentation case, creating an exceptionally elegant ensemble that has remained together for well over a century. Beautifully preserved, the set captures the refined taste and craftsmanship associated with the Edwardian period, when luxurious dressing table appointments were among the most treasured personal possessions.

Each brush features a hallmarked sterling silver back, exquisitely decorated with an intricate engine-turned design that catches the light with remarkable brilliance. Inset at the top is semi-transparent purple celluloid, sealed within the rim. This innovative decorative treatment creates the rich visual effect of fine guilloché enamel, yet offered a fashionable and more affordable alternative during the period. The luminous violet color remains striking today, lending the set an unmistakably sophisticated Art Nouveau and early Art Deco aesthetic.

The brushes retain their original bristles and possess an elegant, sculptural form that feels substantial in the hand. Each brush weighs approximately 94 grams and measures 5 inches deep, 2.5 inches wide, and 2 inches high, reflecting the quality of their construction and materials. Equally desirable is the original fitted presentation box, carefully lined and custom made to house the pair. Measuring 6.25 inches wide, 6.25 inches deep, and 2.5 inches high, the case has protected the brushes for generations while adding tremendous display appeal and collector value. Good antique condition with signs of wear and handling to the box. The brushes appear to have been used minimally. Please review the photos for further condition assessment.

Perhaps the most charming feature of the set is the original calling card and handwritten note still tucked inside the case. The inscription records that the brushes were presented as a gift to a young woman on her twenty-first birthday, preserving a touching glimpse into the personal history of the set. Such original ephemera rarely survives and transforms these brushes from simply beautiful vanity accessories into a meaningful keepsake connected to a special milestone over a century ago.

Whether displayed on a dressing table, incorporated into a collection of antique vanity items, or treasured as an elegant gift from another era, this exceptional set embodies the grace and refinement of Edwardian craftsmanship. Complete examples with their original presentation case, hallmarked sterling silver, and accompanying personal documentation are becoming increasingly scarce, making this a particularly desirable acquisition for collectors of English silver, vanity antiques, and period decorative arts. See less