A GEORGE II GOLD SNUFF BOX

Details
A GEORGE II GOLD SNUFF BOX
LONDON, CIRCA 1740, MAKER'S MARK FN, PROBABLY FOR FRANCIS NELME

Shaped rectangular with canted corners, with molded rims, the hinged cover engraved with a coat-of-arms and helm within an elaborate foliate scroll cartouche enclosed by a reeded border with flowerheads at each corner, the base engraved with a crest within an elaborate foluate scroll, scalework, rocaille and ribbon cartouche, the interior cover engraved The Gift of Mad:M Eliz: Royall to her Grand Daughter Mrs Eliz: Royall ye: 14 Day of April 1747, with later interior fitted plate, marked on interior with maker's mark only--2 5/8in. long
(3 oz. 10 dwt.)

Lot Essay

The arms are those of Congreve.

The Royall family was prominent in Boston in the 18th century. The only known Elizabeth Royall with a grandaughter of the same name in 1747 was Elizabeth (1679-1747), wife of Isaac Royall (c.1672-1739), successful merchant in the West Indian trade and proprietor of a 500-acre estate in Charlestown (Medford), where the Royall Mansion still stands. Their son Isaac (b. 1719) had a daughter named Elizabeth (1740-July 9, 1747). The grandmother Elizabeth prepared her will on April 4, 1747, and died on April 21. This box was inscribed April 14. The designation "Mrs" Before the grandchild's name is most likely an abbreviation of "Mistress." A note in this box mentions an association with the Pepperell family; a second Elizabeth Royall was born on October 30, 1747, after the death of her sister, and she married Sir William Pepperell, created baronet in 1774.