Friday, January 21, 2011

Object of the Day: An Antique Silver Pillbox

This pillbox was given to me by my parents upon their return from a trip to London. Dating to the late Nineteenth Century, it reminds me of the presentation boxes given by King George IV to his favored courtiers. Crafted of sterling silver, this small round case is chased with a radiant pattern surrounded by a band of laurel leaves. The sides of the box are delicately etched with a fluted pattern which makes the whole piece shimmer like a cut jewel. The inside of the box is lined with gold.


Objects such as this remind me to pay attention to every-day details. Our predecessors gave importance to everyday items. Even something as simple as a case for pills was made as beautiful and as precious as possible. There’s no reason that, today, we can’t find the beauty in everything we use.


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