CIRCA 1885

Details

A LATE VICTORIAN OAK MINIATURE SENTRY BOX
CIRCA 1885
Formed as a sentry box with slatted sides and pedimented roof above a hinged door, with a recessed arch with a gouache of a Private of the Coldstream Guards, enclosing four drawers
21¼ in. (54 cm.) high; 9 in. (22.5 cm.) wide; 8¾ in. (22 cm.) deep

Special notice

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Lot Essay

The Private from the Coldstream Guards on Sentry duty displays a Good Conduct Stripe on his left arm. The period at which he was portrayed can be accurately dated based on his regalia: he wears the Egypt medal and Khedive's Star, both these medals were awarded after 1882. The long-socket bayonet he holds in his right arm was obsolete by 1907, however this particular style was phased out in the late 1880's. Moreover, had the Private been portrayed anytime after 1901 one would expect him to display Boer War medals. It is therefore likely that he was depicted between 1882-1889, most likely towards the middle of this decade.
We are grateful to Charles Webb for his help in preparing this catalogue entry.

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