Antique Sterling MMA 1985 Dutch Style Marriage Box

This is a sterling dutch style marriage box made in portugal. Function: The groom-to-be would hand the girl of his dreams an embroidered cloth which was rolled up with silver coins inside, and loosely knotted. One of the coins would be a special wedding coin. If the girl accepted his proposal, she would tighten the knot of the cloth, called a 'knottedoek'. In the 16th century rich Frisians would have a silver box made for the same purpose.