Antique Silver Plate Folding Sweets Biscuit Box The Alexander Clark 19th C

This is a truly superb and highly decorative Antique Victorian silver plated folding biscuit box, circa 1895 in date.

This splendid biscuit box was superbly executed by the renowned silversmiths, The Alexander Clark Manufacturing, London, in Welbeck Plate.

It features a rich floral and foliate engraved body sitting in a cast frame, with opulent interior hand-pierced dividers.

The opening mechanism is as intricate and distinguished as the shell decoration - it opens out into two halves and is held shut by gorgeous clasps at the top.

The underside bears the makers' marks 'THE ALEXr CLARK MANUFACTURING LONDON' and 'Welbeck Plate'.

This resplendent and princely biscuit box could house anything from your most delicious sweets to luxury biscuits or trinkets.

Whatever you choose to store in this lovely item you are sure to do it in style.

Condition:

In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 24 x Width 20 x Depth 14 - Folded

Height 24 x Width 20 x Depth 32 - Fully open

Dimensions in inches:

Height 9.4 x Width 7.9 x Depth 5.5 - Folded

Height 9.4 x Width 7.9 x Depth 12.6 - Fully open

The Alexander Clark Manufacturing

The business was established in 1891 by Clift Alexander Mawer Clark at 138 Fenchurch Street, London. Manufacturing premises were opened in 1894 at 29 Market Place, Oxford Street.

In 1900 the firm was active at Welbeck Works, Randall Street, Sheffield, transferring its activity to James Street Works, St. Paul's, Birmingham, in 1918.

The firm was active also at 29 Market Place, London (1894-1910), 188 Oxford Street, London (1900-1915), 125-126 Fernchurch Street, London (1909-1918), 38-40 Mitre Street, Aldgate, London (1921), 17 Sycamore Street, Sheffield (1921) and 38 Leadenhall Street, London (1941).

The partners were C.A.M. Clark, Louis Vernon Clark, Robert Fead Mosley and Robert Frederick Mosley (of R.F. Mosley & Co Ltd).

The firm was converted in 1912 into a limited liability company under the style of the Alexander Clark Co Ltd.

In 1912 the firm advertised its reproduction of silver historical pieces as the Tudor Bowl (period Henry VIII), the Tudor Cup, Antique Jug found on the excavations at Pompeii, Mediaeval Beaker (Henry VII, 1496).

In 1914 the Alexander Clark Manufacturing Co Ltd had 620 employees in the activities of silversmiths, cutlers, precious stone mounters and dressing bag manufacturers. It was specialised in the production of silver, "Welbeck Silver Plate" and electroplate, cutlery, fitted dressing cases and bags, high-class leather goods.

WELBECK was the trade mark used on silverplate production.

CHRONOLOGY:

Alexander Clark c. 1891 - c. 1898

The Alexander Clark Manufacturing Co c. 1898 - 1912

The Alexander Clark Co Ltd 1912 - 1940s

Our reference: 09934

Internal Ref:

09934

Date of manufacture : 19th Century