An important George IV Cased "Game Birds" Table Snuff Box modelled in high relief made in Birmingham in 1829 by William Simpson.
An important George IV Cased "Game Birds" Table Snuff Box modelled in high relief made in Birmingham in 1829 by William Simpson.
374743
The Snuff Box is of an exceptionally heavy weight and is broad rectangular in form with reeded sides and a beautifully engraved base, unusually decorated with Spitalfields silk designs, first used by the Huguenot silversmiths during the George II period. The cover, most unusually, depicts a number of finely detailed game birds in a rural mountainous, terrain with a castle and tree in the back ground. The scene has been executed to the finest standard and is modelled in high relief. The scene is all surrounded by an outer frame of flower heads, shells and foliate scrolls. This is an extremely rare subject to find on a snuff box and we have only seen it once before, this being on a Vinaigrette of the same date, formerly in the famous collection of Diana Keggie. The interior displays deep original gilding and is very well marked. The box is in exceptional condition which we attribute to it still possessing its original velvet lined leather case.
Length: 3.25 inches, 8.13 cm.
Width: 2.1 inches, 5.25 cm.
Height: 0.9 inches, 2.25 cm.
Weight: 7.5 oz.
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