{"title":"Home page","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"henry-matthews-silver-sovereign-case-1903","title":"Henry Matthews Sterling Silver Double Sovereign Case, Birmingham 1903","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHenry Matthews Sterling Silver Double Sovereign Case — Birmingham, 1903\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn Edwardian sterling silver double sovereign case by \u003cstrong\u003eHenry Matthews of Birmingham\u003c\/strong\u003e, hallmarked for \u003cstrong\u003e1903\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe case has an unusual double-compartment form, designed to carry both a full sovereign and a half sovereign. Each compartment retains its spring-loaded coin mechanism, allowing the coins to be held securely while remaining readily accessible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe exterior is richly decorated with engraved foliate scrollwork surrounding a central cartouche, while the suspension ring allowed the case to be carried on a watch chain or Albert chain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe interior carries the English silver hallmarks, including the \u003cstrong\u003eH M maker’s mark for Henry Matthews\u003c\/strong\u003e, the \u003cstrong\u003eBirmingham anchor\u003c\/strong\u003e, the \u003cstrong\u003elion passant for sterling silver\u003c\/strong\u003e, and the \u003cstrong\u003e1903 date letter\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaker:\u003c\/strong\u003e Henry Matthews\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAssay Office:\u003c\/strong\u003e Birmingham, England\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1903\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sterling silver (.925)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Double sovereign \/ half-sovereign case\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Edwardian\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAn interesting South African connection\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen acquired, the case still contained a heavily circulated \u003cstrong\u003e1933 South African one-shilling coin\u003c\/strong\u003e in one of its compartments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe shilling is thirty years younger than the case and was never the coin for which the compartment was originally designed. It therefore represents part of the object's later working life rather than its original purpose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor Antique Hunter, that later history forms part of the story of the piece. The shilling has consequently been retained with the case rather than separated from it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResearch status: IDENTIFIED\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHenry Matthews — Birmingham — 1903\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePrice on Request\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Antique Hunter","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43296854376546,"sku":"AH-0001","price":0.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0690\/1592\/8930\/files\/AH-0001_04_open-case-mechanisms.jpg?v=1788717398"}],"url":"https:\/\/antiquehunter.co.za\/collections\/frontpage.oembed","provider":"Antique Hunter","version":"1.0","type":"link"}