Queen Anne. A very rare early 18th century Commemorative Counter Box, and Counters, made in London circa 1710 by John Albright.
Queen Anne. A very rare early 18th century Commemorative Counter Box, and Counters, made in London circa 1710 by John Albright.
375189
The Counter box has a tall circular form with two horizontal girdles on the sides. The cover displays a very detailed profile bust of the Queen dressed as a Roman Goddess, flanked by the initials AR, for Anne Regina. This is the most detailed profile we have ever seen of the Queen on a box, showing the waves and band in her hair, drapery dress and pearl earrings. You can also see the contours in her skin and her defined bust. The profile is surrounded by a beaded frame. The box contains ten original gaming counters, displaying the same profile as seen on the top of the box. This piece is in excellent condition and is well marked on the base with IA for John Albright. With Thomas Kedder, these were the two box makers who produced such items.
As we intimated, this is only the second we have seen over the years, the other being in the famous Lion Collection of Boxes and illustrated in the catalogue of the collection, on pages 94 and 95. This example was made by Thomas Kedder and contained no less than fifty counters. This is a very rare Royal Commemorative piece, right at the beginning of such items being made. The shallow boxes for face patches. with the Queen on the cover, appear often, however not the counter box and counters.
Height: 1.1 inches, 2.75 cm.
Diameter: 0.9 inches, 2.25 cm.
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