There is a familiar romantic story most couples recall when they first become engaged. It usually involves a proposal and a ring. But it's not always just about the ring. In the early 20th century, it was a popular tradition to present a ring in a monogrammed sterling-silver ring box. "Most high-end jewelry stores, such as Birks of Montreal (Canada), would give these boxes free with a purchase of an engagement ring," says Elda Woolliams, a Vancouver collector who owns hundreds of examples. "You just didn't marry a guy without an engagement ring from Birks--and the box made it even more endearing."
Pictured: The heart-shaped design is hard to find and highly sought after by collectors, according to Arkansas collector Courtney Hildebrand, whose collection is featured in this slideshow.
An embossed box (1897) by Walter Henry Webber, Birmingham, England; A c. 1910 English-turned circle line engraving; A 1913 heart design by H. Matthews, England; A monogramed English box, c. 1900.
From the late 1880s through the early 1950s, various manufacturers in England and the United States produced sterling-silver ring boxes for many high-end jewelry retailers in the United States and Canada, including Birks and Tiffany & Co. In 1906, Birks started a special wedding and engagement ring premium, where they produced 22 different styles of boxes that changed every five years. The style of box reflected the price level of the ring and the year it was purchased. Each box was personalized with the initials or name of the recipient. "If a box isn't monogrammed on the top of the box, it was probably a spontaneous purchase for a birthday, spur-of-the-moment engagement, or Valentine's Day," says Woolliams. Most jewelry establishments of the day that dealt in silver would have a hand-engraver on the premises.
Pictured: Sterling-silver ring boxes were among the pieces of silver typically displayed on a woman's dresser set or vanity table, along with a monogrammed mirror, comb, and brushes.