Antique Levi & Salaman Sterling Silver Manicure Set 1904-1912 Birmingham Vanity For Sale

A beautiful and highly decorative early 20th-century English sterling silver manicure set by the renowned Birmingham silversmiths Levi & Salaman (L&S), presented in its fitted case retailed by Davison Bros, Goldsmiths & Jewellers, 59 Cheapside, London E.C.The individual silver pieces carry Birmingham Assay Office hallmarks with the L&S maker’s mark, anchor and lion passant, confirming sterling silver, with individual date letters spanning 1904 to 1912.The set has a particularly attractive and cohesive hand-hammered / planished finish, which is repeated across the silver handles, scissors, pots and large buffer.Contents & Hallmark DatesThe fitted set contains 10 individual pieces:• 2 x cosmetic / toilet pots — Birmingham 1905
• 1 x large nail buffer / polisher — Birmingham 1905
• 1 x pointed manicure implement / nail tool — Birmingham 1904
• 1 x nail file — Birmingham 1912
• 1 x small manicure brush — Birmingham 1906 — BROKEN
• 1 x large pair of manicure scissors — Birmingham 1912
• 1 x small pair of manicure scissors — Birmingham 1912
• 1 x pair of tweezers — Birmingham 1905The differing assay dates are worth noting: the earlier components are predominantly concentrated around 1904–1906, while the nail file and scissors are hallmarked 1912.The pieces nevertheless share the same distinctive hammered aesthetic and are presented together in the fitted case.Maker — Levi & SalamanThe pieces are attributed through their L&S maker’s mark to Levi & Salaman, the noted Birmingham silversmithing partnership of Phineas Harris Levi and Joseph Wolff Salaman.Levi & Salaman were particularly well known for producing smaller luxury silver wares during the late Victorian and Edwardian/early 20th-century period, including dressing-table accessories, manicure implements, boxes and other personal silver items.Davison Bros, 59 Cheapside, LondonThe fitted case retains the original retailer’s mark to the silk-lined lid:DAVISON BROS.
GOLDSMITHS & JEWELLERS
59 CHEAPSIDE
LONDON, E.C.This is an attractive additional feature, connecting Birmingham-manufactured silver with a period London goldsmith and jeweller.ConditionPlease read the condition information carefully.The set is offered in antique condition with general surface wear, scratches, tarnishing and other signs of age and use consistent with pieces dating from over 110 years ago.IMPORTANT: The small 1906 brush is broken and shows evidence of a previous glued repair. It is included with the set in its damaged condition.I have not attempted to repair the brush further.The original fitted case displays considerable age-related wear, including staining, discolouration, creasing and general deterioration to the silk/lining. The purple fitted interior also shows age and use.The Davison Bros retailer’s mark remains clearly visible.The steel portions of the manicure implements and scissors display age-related wear as would be expected.Please examine all photographs carefully as they form an important part of the description and condition report.DetailsMaker: Levi & Salaman (L&S)
Assay Office: Birmingham
Silver Standard: Sterling Silver / Lion Passant
Date Range: 1904–1912
Period: Edwardian / George V
Country: England
Decoration: Hammered / Planished
Number of Pieces: 10
Retailer: Davison Bros
Retailer Address: 59 Cheapside, London E.C.
Case: Period fitted presentation case
Condition: Antique used condition - brush brokenA particularly attractive Levi & Salaman Birmingham silver manicure set, retaining numerous matching hallmarked components and its fitted Davison Bros of Cheapside retailer’s case.The combination of the distinctive hammered silverwork, clearly identifiable Birmingham hallmarks, individual assay dates and surviving retailer-marked presentation case makes this an appealing piece of British silver and social history, as well as a decorative antique dressing-table set.Please study all photographs carefully before purchasing. The hallmarks, condition, contents and broken brush are shown/described as accurately as possible.