Box
MakerMade by
Sperlari
Dateafter 1950
MediumTin, paper, metal, wax
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width x depth): 8 5/16 x 5 7/8 x 2 3/8in. (21.1 x 15 x 6cm)
ClassificationsCommercial Objects
Credit LineGift of Gennaro J. Capobianco
Object number2005.180.59a-k
DescriptionDecorative tin box used as a container for writing equipment.
(.a) Decorative, 2-hinged, gold tin Torrone candy box. Around edges are gold, silver, and orange decorative flowers. Lid has gold, red, green, yellow, orange, and grey decorative border with flowers at four corners. At center is an emerald colored bust-length image of a young woman showing her face, shoulders, and right hand, at the corner of picture are artists initials, "AF". At bottom edge of lid printed in green, "PREM. OFF. - A. SAVIO -S.P.D ARENA". Outer, bottom of box is gold with a black printed logo, reading across, "Torrone finissimo / ENEA SPERLARI / CREMONA / (ITALY)". Inner portion of box is gold and at bottom is a stained, off-white piece of paper. Left hinge is broken.
The box contains several items not original to the box; most appear to be related to writing or correspondence.
(.b) Ink pen, made by Spencerian Stell Pen Company. White shell base with grooves which forms into a point at one end. Attached to other end is a brass nib holder, engraved with a decorative design. Metal nib, rusted in places goes into brass holder and forms to a sharp point. Engraved at top but continues under brass reads, "SPENC / IVISON P / NEW / ENG".
(.c) Italian 5 cent coin made of tarnished black metal, dated 1864. On one side, engraved around border is a wreath, across center, "5 / CENTESIMI / 1864 / N". On reverse side is the silhouette of a male head, facing to the left, engraved around border, "VITTORIO EMANUELE II RE D'ITALIA".
(.d-.e) Candles. Narrow off-white candles with string wicks. Visible burn marks with small crack near center.
(.f) Brown ornate tortuise shell letter opener. Translucent sword-shaped blade, forms to a point and is chipped on one edge. Blade is carved into handle which curves into the neck, head, and beak of a stork-like bird. Beak portion is translucent and attaches to base of handle.
(.g) Letter opener with sterling silver handle and shell blade. Handle has decorative engravings of flowers and vines and forms into a curved base, on one side, engraved, "STERLING". Mother-of-pearl blade is oblong shaped and has sharp grooves at its base which inserts into handle.
(.h) Liquified seal bowl. Asphalt bowl with coin cemented within. Metal coin has blue speckles, engraved at center appears to be the silhouette of a males head facing towards to right.
(.i) Funnel shaped, metal pencil sharpener. Rounded bottom with hole for the insertion of a pencil; engraved around base, "PAT. DEC. 18, 83 , JAN. 12, 86." A thin blade is found within hole. On side of object is a hole where the point of a pencil would be visible, next to this, engraved, "E. FABER / NEW YORK.".
(.j) Two red, notary sealing waxes. Contains black soot on end. Cracked around sides, somewhat flattened through center and forms into a curve at one end.
NotesObject Note (.b): Engraving on nib is only partially visible, as it continues under brass holder, but in entirety probably reads, "SPENCERIAN STELL PEN / IVISON PHINNEY & Co. / NEW YORK / ENGLAND".(.a) Decorative, 2-hinged, gold tin Torrone candy box. Around edges are gold, silver, and orange decorative flowers. Lid has gold, red, green, yellow, orange, and grey decorative border with flowers at four corners. At center is an emerald colored bust-length image of a young woman showing her face, shoulders, and right hand, at the corner of picture are artists initials, "AF". At bottom edge of lid printed in green, "PREM. OFF. - A. SAVIO -S.P.D ARENA". Outer, bottom of box is gold with a black printed logo, reading across, "Torrone finissimo / ENEA SPERLARI / CREMONA / (ITALY)". Inner portion of box is gold and at bottom is a stained, off-white piece of paper. Left hinge is broken.
The box contains several items not original to the box; most appear to be related to writing or correspondence.
(.b) Ink pen, made by Spencerian Stell Pen Company. White shell base with grooves which forms into a point at one end. Attached to other end is a brass nib holder, engraved with a decorative design. Metal nib, rusted in places goes into brass holder and forms to a sharp point. Engraved at top but continues under brass reads, "SPENC / IVISON P / NEW / ENG".
(.c) Italian 5 cent coin made of tarnished black metal, dated 1864. On one side, engraved around border is a wreath, across center, "5 / CENTESIMI / 1864 / N". On reverse side is the silhouette of a male head, facing to the left, engraved around border, "VITTORIO EMANUELE II RE D'ITALIA".
(.d-.e) Candles. Narrow off-white candles with string wicks. Visible burn marks with small crack near center.
(.f) Brown ornate tortuise shell letter opener. Translucent sword-shaped blade, forms to a point and is chipped on one edge. Blade is carved into handle which curves into the neck, head, and beak of a stork-like bird. Beak portion is translucent and attaches to base of handle.
(.g) Letter opener with sterling silver handle and shell blade. Handle has decorative engravings of flowers and vines and forms into a curved base, on one side, engraved, "STERLING". Mother-of-pearl blade is oblong shaped and has sharp grooves at its base which inserts into handle.
(.h) Liquified seal bowl. Asphalt bowl with coin cemented within. Metal coin has blue speckles, engraved at center appears to be the silhouette of a males head facing towards to right.
(.i) Funnel shaped, metal pencil sharpener. Rounded bottom with hole for the insertion of a pencil; engraved around base, "PAT. DEC. 18, 83 , JAN. 12, 86." A thin blade is found within hole. On side of object is a hole where the point of a pencil would be visible, next to this, engraved, "E. FABER / NEW YORK.".
(.j) Two red, notary sealing waxes. Contains black soot on end. Cracked around sides, somewhat flattened through center and forms into a curve at one end.
(.c)Depicted is the silhouette of Vittorio Emanuele II who was King of Sardinia from 1849-1861 and the King of Italy from 1861-1878.
(.h) Possibly a hand-made liquified seal bowl
Status
Not on view
