A Victorian sterling silver ‘castle top’ vinaigrette, Birmingham 1843 by Nathaniel Mills

Of shaped rectangular form with waisted sides, the lid raised by a chased thumbpiece, to top engraved with an ecclesiastical ruin, perhaps a section of Whitby Abbey. The reverse with engraves foliate scrolls. The gilt interior with a hinged pierced and engraved grill of foliate scrolls. Fully marked, the grill with maker’s mark only.

Length – 4.1 cm / 1.65 inches

Weight – 26 grams / 0.84 ozt