A fabulous quality Cape silver snuff box, in excellent condition, it has not seen much use (many Cape silver snuff boxes are worn from regular use). The box is rectangular, it has a lovely thumbpiece, similar in shape to a Cape Dutch gable. The engraving is typically Cape, with foliate and wrigglework borders, and stippling on the sides and base. The central cartouche is vacant, it has never been engraved with initials, which might explain its well preserved condition. The interior is gilded, and the original gilding is also extremely well preserved. The interior lid corner has a scratch cross, probably a mark of ownership. The hallmarks are also excellent, Welz mark 116, makers initials MLS set between 3 crown devices. Smith was a Dane who arrived in the Cape in 1757 age 35, so we assume already trained as a silversmith (his work is always good quality). He lived a long live, married 4 times, and had 10 children, he died in 1806 age 84.