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MARK OF TAYLOR & PERRY, BIRMINGHAM, 1835,
Details
A William IV silver-mounted mother-of-pearl snuff box,
MARK OF TAYLOR & PERRY, BIRMINGHAM, 1835,
Rectangular, the silver mounts reeded, the cover engraved with a view of "Tong Castle, The Seat of G. Durant Esq.", the reverse engraved with the S.E. view of Tong Church -- 3 1/8ins. (8cms.)
MARK OF TAYLOR & PERRY, BIRMINGHAM, 1835,
Rectangular, the silver mounts reeded, the cover engraved with a view of "Tong Castle, The Seat of G. Durant Esq.", the reverse engraved with the S.E. view of Tong Church -- 3 1/8ins. (8cms.)
Special notice
VAT rate of 17.5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.
Further details
In 1760 Tong Castle, in Shropshire, was sold to George Durant who had amassed a fortune whilst employed as Clerk to the British Forces in the West Indies. His son, George Durant (II), continued to develop the estate whilst managing to father 32 illegitimate children in the parish of Tong in addition to his 20 legitimate offspring by two wives!
Tong Castle, originally owned by Roger de Montmorency after the Norman Conquest, was ruined from 1908 onwards & finally demolished in 1954 to make way for the M54.
Tong Church, mostly 15th century, but built on the site of a Norman church, is dedicated to St. Bartholomew & has many medieval tombs including many of the Vernon family, who had owned Tong Castle for many years. Outside the church is the supposed grave of "Little Nell", the Dickensian character from "The Old Curiosity Shop". This was, in fact, a hoax perpetrated by the then Verger, George Bowden(1856-1943), who sought to capitalise on American tourists flocking to visit scenes featured in Charles Dickens's books & who went so far as to forge an entry in the church burial records!
Tong Castle, originally owned by Roger de Montmorency after the Norman Conquest, was ruined from 1908 onwards & finally demolished in 1954 to make way for the M54.
Tong Church, mostly 15th century, but built on the site of a Norman church, is dedicated to St. Bartholomew & has many medieval tombs including many of the Vernon family, who had owned Tong Castle for many years. Outside the church is the supposed grave of "Little Nell", the Dickensian character from "The Old Curiosity Shop". This was, in fact, a hoax perpetrated by the then Verger, George Bowden(1856-1943), who sought to capitalise on American tourists flocking to visit scenes featured in Charles Dickens's books & who went so far as to forge an entry in the church burial records!