Late 18th, or Early 19th, Century Continental Gilt Metal and Tortoiseshell Mounted Circular Snuff Box. The Cover Inset with an Oval Panel Painted with Two Billing Doves on a Plinth within an Arbour formed from Foil Ornament, on a Red Foil Ground, within Textured & Patterned Borders.
Provenance: Hicks Beach Family Estate from Williamstrip & Mill House, Coln St Aldwyn. Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Bt, succeeded his father as 9th Baronet of Beverston in 1854. He became a Conservative Member of Parliament in 1864 and served twice as Chancellor of the Exchequer, from 1885 to 1886 and again from 1895 to 1902. In 1906 he was raised to the peerage as Viscount St Aldwyn and in 1915 became the first Earl St Aldwyn.
Approximate weight is 52 grams.
Approximate dimensions are 6.5 cm diameter and 2 cm height.
In good condition with age related surface wear, especially to the textured borders. Cracks and splits to the tortoisheshell interior, as per the photos. Some movement of the tiny foil pieces within the picture.