18th c danish rococo silver hovedvandsaeg marriage spice box circa 1760

Description

This is a relatively rare mid 18th century Danish silver vinaigrette or spice box. Typically of Nordic ancestry, especially Denmark and Sweden, these types of silver objects were originally used as a spice box or vinaigrette for aromatic smelling salts, often given by a suitor to his beloved as an engagement gift.
These love token boxes are called Hovedvandsaeg by the Danish (Hovedvansaeg literally means head-water egg: an egg to contain 'water' to revive the senses) or Luktevannshus by the Swedish.
'Hovedvands�g' are of various forms and date from about 1725. Although this particular example is unmarked, the shape, Rococo style and design suggest a mid 18th Century date.
These spice boxes were often engraved with pinprick marks of the couples initials, as is this particular example.
It has gilded interior and is nicely decorated in a period Louis XVI floral, scroll and shell motif, with a pair of loving birds surmounting the hinged cover. Engraved with the couples initials "MK . PD" on the underside.
Hallmarks:
Unmarked.
Dimensions:
Height: 6.5cm / 2.4 inches.
Width: 4cm / 1.4 inches.
Depth: 2cm . 0.7 inches.
Condition:
Very good considering its age.
Strong hinge.
Rich interior gilding.
Leans a little to the front.
Postage UK: �7 Special Delivery Next day.
Postage overseas: �10 International Signed For.
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Internal Ref: MAI48