Expert: Martin G Roberts - 4/15/2006

Question
My Father left me small antique pewter jewlery box with a removable wood liner. The brand name on the bottom reads "Barbours P Co International Co SCO" with the number 3949 under the half moon logo. It looks British,it has many carved 1700 or 1800 designs on it of all sorts of scenes from, a mother sitting w/her child,to a man playing a violin,children playing,people dancing etc. it's very pretty and it has to be over 60 or 70 yrs old. It's very well made and heavy for it's small size. Can you look tell me the value?


Answer
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The mark is not familiar to me. It is unlikely to be British - probably American. 3949 will a pattern number. However, I can tell you it is not as old as you think - I would be very surprised if it pre-dated say 1950. So of no value as an antique, as it's not an antique. May not be pewter - could be silver plate, which is worse.

I'm afraid it appearing to you to be pretty and being an heirloom is no guarantee of quality. The designs are engraved, not carved. It might fetch a few dollars at a garage sale.