A GEORGE II GOLD SNUFF-BOX

CIRCA 1740

Details

A GEORGE II GOLD SNUFF-BOX
CIRCA 1740
cartouche-shaped box with baluster sides, the hinged cover chased in the manner of prints by Meissonnier with rocaille, strapwork and a gentleman leaning on a fountain on a sablé ground, the polished lobed sides and base similarly chased, two of the lobes chased with Corinthian column pilasters, the front applied with undulated wirework mirroring the wavy incorporated thumbpiece, the interior of the cover later engraved with an inscription and coat-of-arms of Minnitt for Joshua Robert Minnitt (1806-1881) impaling those of Goring, for his wife Elizabeth Goring (1808-1901), contemporary fitted black fishskin case
2¾ in. (69 mm.) wide
2¼ oz. (70 gr.)
Engraved on the interior cover 'This Box, the property of Martha Minnitt, born 29^t^h April 1677. and Married to Richard Powell 10^t^h January 1694 was given by her descendant George Powell Esq^r late of Clifton to Joshua Robert Minnitt of Annabeg in the year 1830.' (2)

Provenance

Martha Minnitt (b. 1677), then by family descent to her great-great nephew Joshua Robert Minnitt (1806-1881), then by family descent.
Christie's, London, 10 June 2010, lot 330.

Brought to you by

Amelia Anderson

aanderson@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2343

Lot Essay

Annabeg (or Annaghbeg) was the Georgian home of the Minnitt family until just after World War II, located near Nenagh in County Tipperary, Ireland. The Minnitt family was primarily based in Ireland from the 17th century. Martha Minnitt was the second daughter of Robert and Jane Minnitt of Knigh Castle and Blackfort in Tipperary. Robert Minnitt was her youngest brother and the great-grandfather of Joshua Robert Minnitt, who was a prominent landowner and active in public life. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Charles Forster Goring of Highden in Sussex at St Georges, Hanover Square on 19 May 1834.

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