Just my sort of snuff box, with the freehand engraving about as folky as it gets, and I sure do love the manner of that lettering. But most of all I love the manner of that sea serpent, emerging from the wavering line of the sea, and another wavering line below giving rise to a leafy sprig. The mark on the flip side identifies the brass box as Swedish, produced by Westerås Metallfabrik, a metalworking company that was based in Västerås, (on the shore of Lake Mälaren in central Sweden), active in the 19th and into the 20th century. Interestingly, and unusually, the box is double hinged, lids opening from either side in opposite directions. It could be that there was once a (horizontal) divider, yielding two separate compartments, but I'm not completely sure. I'm guessing the serpent represented is Storsjöodjuret, Sweden's legendary (and often reportedly sighted in the 19th century) lake monster!
3 1/4" x 2 1/8" x 5/8". Good condition, nice old patina to the brass with a couple of minor green spots. Hinges in good shape, closes tight.
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