An extremely rare Charles II silver scissors case, the body scratch-engraved with scrolling acanthus foliage, the stem with acanthus diaper motifs and spherical finial to the base. The three-lugged hinge with push-button snap fastener and suspensory loop.
 
Marked to the exterior with sponsor’s mark, possibly for John Albright. English, c.1670-80. The hinged cover opens to reveal a pair of eighteenth or nineteenth-century fitted cut steel scissors with gold stud enrichment.
 
Dimensions.
Scissors case: 10 x 4.4cm.
Scissors: 8.6 x 3.5cm.
 
Weight.
Scissors case: 27.2 grams.
Scissors: 8.8 grams.
Combined: 36.0 grams.
 
Notes:
Usually unmarked, this piece is struck very clearly with a maker’s mark or sponsor’s mark which has been attributed to John Albright of London. A noted maker of boxes and small work, Albright was operating in the final quarter of the seventeenth century.
 
Comparable examples are illustrated in Delieb (1967), Taunton (1997) and the Mount Holyoke College Art Museum.
 
Condition:
In excellent antique condition. The definition of the decoration is good. The hinge is in good order. The hinged cover closes good and tight, and snaps shut well. Definition of the maker’s mark is good. The scissors are in good order, they are likely associated given their later date, however they are good quality and fit very well inside the scissors case itself.
 
References:
Taunton, N. (1997). Antique needlework tools and embroideries. Woodbridge: Antique Collectors’ Club, pp. 21-22, pl. 12.
 
Delieb, E. (1967). Investing in Silver, pp. 18.
 
Mount Holyoke College Art Museum. (2015). Scissors case; Chatelaine. [online]