BIRMINGHAM, VARIOUS MAKERS AND DATES

Details

FOUR GEORGE IV/WILLIAM IV SILVER SNUFF BOXES
BIRMINGHAM, VARIOUS MAKERS AND DATES
Two silver snuff boxes, the first mark of Thomas Shaw, Birmingham, 1824, the second mark of John Bettridge, Birmingham, 1827, rectangular, the covers cast with a hunting scene, and with floral borders, the base with engine-turning; the third and fourth each mark of Nathaniel Mills, Birmingham, 1830 and 1834, each rectangular, the third with cover cast with figural scene of Catharine of Aragon in Shakespeare's Henry VIII (Act II Scene IV), with floral borders, and with engined turned sides and base, the fourth with guilloche panels and floral borders, the cover engraved with a crest and monogram, the base with engine-turning, each marked inside cover and base
The last 3¾ in. (9.5 cm.) long (4)

Lot Essay

The plaque on the Mills box of 1834 depicts Sarah Siddons, sister of the English actor John Kemble, in the role of Catherine of Aragon in Shakespeare's Henry VIII. Historical painter George Henry captured the scene in which she addressed Cardinal Woolsey before the King and Bishops. Noted engraver George Clint, produced prints after the canvas, and his engraving undoubtedly provided the source for the scene on this box. (Eric Delieb, Silver Boxes, p. 127.)

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