1800's Barbour Box

This antique silverplate box by Barbour Silver Company is a wonderful example of the kind of decorative metalwork that made late 1800's American silver. Barbour, based in Hartford, Connecticut, was known for producing high-quality silverplate pieces before becoming part of International Silver in 1898.

The lid features a richly detailed repoussé tavern scene — a technique where the design is worked from the reverse side of the metal to create a raised, sculptural surface. It’s a labor-intensive process that gives pieces like this their depth and movement, and you can really see that here in the figures and architectural details. Boxes like this were often used for cigarettes or small personal items, and they have such a nice presence on a table or desk. As you can see in the photos there are some spots of tarnish/wear. The inside is lined in wood and the lid is plated in gold inside. Measures approximately 5" x 3.5".