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Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Beautiful Battersea Boxes


It started with this tiny box.
 For my 40th birthday (several years ago!) a few of my dear friends surprised me with a day out in New York City and then presented me with this adorable 
enameled Battersea Box.


What's a Battersea Box? In the 1700 and 1800's small enamel trinket boxes were made by the company Bilston and Battersea. They were especially  popular among Victorian ladies and collected as souvenirs from their 
visits to the seashore.
 But by the 1830's their popularity had waned. 
 In the 1950's the antique shop Halcyon Days specialized in English antiques and collectibles. The little boxes were once again popular and had become rare so they formed a partnership with Bilston and Battersea Enamels to start making them again.


These tiny boxes are works of art, depicting flowers, birds, lovely ladies, architecture or charming quotes.There are hundreds if not thousands of designs.



So here is my modest collection. I have my original 
Noah's Ark box, a couple of Alice in Wonderland, and several that my dear husband gave me for birthdays or anniversaries.

They can be quite pricey, usually $100 and up so if you see one for less, treat yourself to a little piece of history.

I like to join these parties

2 comments :

  1. You have a sweet collection, Karee. I've always found these charming, and it's fun to see the ones you have. On our first visit to London together, my husband gifted me with a Halcyon heart shaped box inscribed with "I love you". I also have an Alstor box made for ME Inc. ~ Life is just a chair of bowlies. One of my favorite sayings.

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  2. Lovely collection Karee. What beautiful pieces you have. I've pinned it to my Vintage & Antique Resources Pinterest board.

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