Rounded rectangular,lidded box on four button feet with overall chased baroque-style decoration of scrolls, shells, flowers and diapering; a wide band wrapped around bottom of sides features repeating relief scenes of men and women dancing and socializing in a tavern or inn. Lid has a scalloped tab at front and is attached with a five-knuckle hinge at back. Wood lined. Bottom underside struck "E", "G", "W", "&", and "S" all in raised gothic or Old English script in individual square surrounds.
Maker is E. G. Webster & Son of Brooklyn, NY, 1886-1928. Named for Elizur Goodwin Webster (1829-1900) and his son, Frederick Hezekiah Webster (b. 1860); successor firm to E. G. Webster & Brother (Elizur and Adelbert Ashley Webster) of New York, NY, 1865-1886, also known as Webster Manufacturing Co., 1866-1874. E. G. Webster & Son was purchased by International Silver Co. in 1928, but the trademark was used until c. 1961 when it was consolidated with Wilcox Silver Plate Co. (founding member of Insilco in 1898) into Webster-Wilcox. (See Rainwater, Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers.)