BOX

An incomplete copper alloy box of modern date, presumably consisting of one half only, and probably an example of WWI or WWII Trench Art.
The box is rectangular in shape with one open long edge and a slightly off-centre 1.9mm diameter piercing in the edge opposite. The short edges have a soldered sheet metal loop of circular section close to the open end. One face depicts a central stem of two parallel lines, widened at one of the long edges and with a cross-bar across this at the other end. In one direction, the cross-bar extends into a foliate sprig; a second foliate sprig spring from the base of the vertical.
The opposite face appears to show the body of a female in a long billowing skirt, arms crossed in front, facing right. A panel of scrolling foliation flanks one short edge.
The inside of the box has a separate sheet copper alloy lining, 0.5mm thick.
The object measures 61.1mm in length (inclusive of loops), 36.2mm in width, 12.6mm in depth and weighs 29.69g. The open end measures 51.3x10.1mm (internal 47.7x7.2mm).
A copper colour around the loops is the original surface of the metal (now mostly covered in a green concretion). This suggests that the coppery colour visible in the grooved decoration is also probably original surface, as opposed to additional gilding.