Price: Sold

For sale is this iconic and rare copper and silver and Ruskin set casket by A E Jones, fully hallmarked for Birmingham, 1903.  This early work by Jones was until recently only known from its catalogue entries (see images from Jones’ “St Dunstan” catalogue c.1905) where it was listed as No. 40, “Silver and copper Casket. Lined with cedar wood or velvet. £6 6 0.”  This casket retains its original velvet lining for use as a jewellery box.

The casket is in classic arts and crafts tradition with visible rivets and strapwork.  The box is set with a central blue green Ruskin Pottery stone in original and excellent condition.  The box closes with a hinge silver strap and clasp that turns to lock the lid tight.  It is a really authentic piece by Jones that is amongst his very best and rarest work.

The box is in excellent antique condition, the copper retaining its original dark patina.  There are some slight, immaterial, bruises or marks to the lid. The velvet interior is in very good order and useable. The Ruskin condition is excellent.

The box is marked to the base for “Robinson & Co, The Square, Salisbury”. This was a well regarded provincial jeweller.  There is also a monogram to the lid interior “From J.B.O, September 1911”. The initials are quite possibly for the local Salisbury dignitary James Basil Oldham, who was a known art collector.

The casket was made early in the firm of A E Jones history when the former Birmingham Guild of Handicraft member, Jones, was himself producing hand  made silver items along with a handful of skilled craftsmen. A E. Jones is known to have used Ruskin Pottery roundels at this time. E. R.  Taylor was a frequent visitor to Jones’s workshop, bringing his son Howson  Taylor’s Ruskin Pottery to be mounted and smaller pottery roundels to be  incorporated as features in Jones’ own designs.

Maker: A E Jones

Designer:  A E Jones

Date: 1903

Marks: AEJ, Birmingham, “d”, lid only

Material: Sterling silver, copper, Ruskin Pottery

Condition: Excellent – see description

Size: 17 cm long x 9.5 cm wide x 7.5 cm tall

Weight: 500 grams, 17.6 oz each (not silver weight)