Hand manufacturing of modern pills began in the 1830s when gelatin pills were invented. The storage of these pills became something of an art form in Georgian and Victorian times, with pill boxes gradually becoming something akin to jewellery. Although some pill boxes were meant to be kept on a bedside table or atop a dressing room vanity, many were meant to be portable, something a lady (very few men carried pill boxes) could stash in her purse. Hence, they became miniaturized, which was convenient as long as you weren’t taking an apothecary of medicines. Pill boxes came in all manner of elaborate designs and in an array of materials from simple papier mache boxes to expensive gold and enamelled pieces
 
This is a small silver plated pill box with a transfer printed design on the lid, of a large dog. The boxed is marked underneath EPNS. This would have been owned by somebody of moderate means.
 
Condition is good with no scratches to the image of the dog.
 
Dimensions: 4cm x 1.5cm