English Sheffield Sterling Silver Hand Magnifying Glass
English Sheffield Sterling Silver Hand Magnifying Glass
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Elegant English sterling silver hand magnifying glass with an ornate repoussé handle featuring shell, floral rosette, and scrolling foliate decoration in a refined late Victorian to Edwardian taste. The magnifier is fitted with a polished sterling bezel surrounding a clear circular lens. Hallmarked for Sheffield with sterling standard marks and an "HB" maker's mark beneath a "C."
Era
Likely late Victorian to Edwardian, circa 1895–1915, pending confirmation of the Sheffield date letter cycle.
History
Sterling silver magnifying glasses became fashionable desk accessories during the late Victorian and Edwardian periods, prized for libraries, correspondence desks, and sewing tables. Many were produced by Sheffield silversmiths, whose reputation for finely crafted silverware made these both practical tools and elegant decorative objects.
Provenance
Private collection.
Materials
Sheffield sterling silver (.925)
Glass lens
Hallmarks
Sheffield assay office (Crown)
Sterling standard (Lion passant)
Maker's mark: C over HB
Date letter: Lower-case "m"
These marks confirm the piece is English sterling silver assayed in Sheffield. The exact maker and year require comparison of the maker's punch and the shape of the "m" cartouche against Sheffield assay records.
Dimensions
Please add overall length.
Lens diameter.
Disclaimers
Minor wear consistent with age and use.
Silver retains an attractive aged patina.
Lens shows light surface wear but remains functional.
Hallmarks are present and legible.
Elegant English sterling silver hand magnifying glass with an ornate repoussé handle featuring shell, floral rosette, and scrolling foliate decoration in a refined late Victorian to Edwardian taste. The magnifier is fitted with a polished sterling bezel surrounding a clear circular lens. Hallmarked for Sheffield with sterling standard marks and an "HB" maker's mark beneath a "C."
Era
Likely late Victorian to Edwardian, circa 1895–1915, pending confirmation of the Sheffield date letter cycle.
History
Sterling silver magnifying glasses became fashionable desk accessories during the late Victorian and Edwardian periods, prized for libraries, correspondence desks, and sewing tables. Many were produced by Sheffield silversmiths, whose reputation for finely crafted silverware made these both practical tools and elegant decorative objects.
Provenance
Private collection.
Materials
Sheffield sterling silver (.925)
Glass lens
Hallmarks
Sheffield assay office (Crown)
Sterling standard (Lion passant)
Maker's mark: C over HB
Date letter: Lower-case "m"
These marks confirm the piece is English sterling silver assayed in Sheffield. The exact maker and year require comparison of the maker's punch and the shape of the "m" cartouche against Sheffield assay records.
Dimensions
Please add overall length.
Lens diameter.
Disclaimers
Minor wear consistent with age and use.
Silver retains an attractive aged patina.
Lens shows light surface wear but remains functional.
Hallmarks are present and legible.