A George III novelty snuffbox with a portrait miniature - image-1 A George III novelty snuffbox with a portrait miniature - image-2 A George III novelty snuffbox with a portrait miniature - image-3

Lot 23 D ‡ α

A George III novelty snuffbox with a portrait miniature

Auction 1158 - overview Cologne
12.11.2020, 14:00 - Jewellery and Gold Boxes
Estimate: 2.800 € - 3.000 €
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A George III novelty snuffbox with a portrait miniature

Oval tortoiseshell box with finely engraved 18k gold mountings. The hinged lid with a central oval spring-mounted gilt copper lid finely engraved with a conjoined IR monogram. This conceals an oval gouache on ivory portrait miniature of an elegant young lady against a cloudy sky. The base with a fragmentary exhibition label of the Cosway Loan Exhibition, Moncorvo House, the interior with two collection labels. The miniature signed and inscribed on the reverse "S. Shelley Henrietta St Co Garden". The spring mechanism defective. 3 x 8 x 6 cm. Weight 108.64 g.
Probably London, the portrait miniature by Samuel Shelley, c. 1790.

Provenance

Collection of Sir Julian Goldsmid; Hodgkins acquired from Christie's London, 8th June 1896, lot 65 (minature attributed to Cosway); anonymous auction; Dr. Anton C.R. Dreesmann acquired from Christie's London, 24th November 1981, lot 38; collection of Dr. Anton C.R. Dreesmann (inventory no. F134) auctioned by Christie's London, 11th April 2002, lot 890; private collection, England.