A very happy find amid a week of searching but not finding a whole lot, this is an early-mid 19th century pill silverer. I didn't know its function when I found it, but have learned that these were used by apothecaries, for the purpose of "silvering" pills: they would moisturize pills with acacia and then put them inside one of these, with silver leaf inside, gently rolling the pills around to coat them and make them ready for storage in a bottle. And I've found these are quite scarce and quite highly valued. This one, made of boxwood I believe, features screw threading and a protruding band around the center for securing the removable lid, and a lovely stepped circular foot. Just beautiful, with a rich honey color and excellent patina to the wood.
3 7/8" t. 2 1/2" diameter at foot; 2 5/8" diameter at center. Very good antique condition, better in person.
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