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| Silver filigree counter box with painted enamel insert, c. 1790. Private collection. |
Several silver filigree counter boxes with enamel tops survive in museums and private collections, dating, probably, from the late 1700s. Counters were used in gaming so a decorative box was an eye-catching accessory on the gaming table.
Like much silver filigree of this period, these boxes aren't marked, but the combination of filigree and enamel makes it almost certain that these decorative objects were made in Birmingham and nearby. Birmingham was dominant in the manufacture of filigree (see post here) and, unlike other towns, contained within and nearby a diverse number of other artisans including skilled enamellers. Birmingham's famed Soho manufactory produced many filigree items including items for gaming such as quadrille pools and dice boxes. The 1782 inventory of the contents of the manufactory included 'Small Enamels Richards' and 'Enamels from Wednesbury' so, if they made boxes similar to the one above, they may bought the decorated enamel circles in from local makers in Birmingham (Richards was possibly Theophilus Richards, a local Birmingham filigree and toy maker) and Wednesbury.* There is no reason to believe that these boxes were made in Soho, but it is very likely that the filigree makers ordered in the enamel tops from other local makers.
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| Top with Knave of Clubs. |
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| Base. |
Gallery Below
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| Private collection. |
Above: Unmarked box with Ace of Spades.
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| Private collection. |
Above: Unmarked box with unknown playing card.
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| Private collection. |
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| Private collection. |
* References in PhD by Jen Dixon, contact for details. p. 43