A very unusual George III silver gilt "Souvenir" Vinaigrette made in London in 1819 by William William II.
A very unusual George III silver gilt "Souvenir" Vinaigrette made in London in 1819 by William William II.
375591
This rare box is broad rectangular in form and silver gilt. The cover displays an unusual outer border decorated with flower heads and leaves including roses and tulips. Each corner displays a raying Rococo shell. The base is decorated with a circular cartouche containing a swirling floral motif surrounded by a frame of prick dot designs, scrolls and foliate motifs. The very unusual interior grille echoes the engraved design on the base and is pierced and engraved with a central swirling floral motif, surrounded by pluming scrolls and Rococo shells. This is the first time we have seen this design of grille. The sides are decorated with reeding and the box is in excellent condition, being fully marked in the base and with the sterling mark and date letter on the underside of the grille. The cover displays the word "SOUVENIR" in unusual Gothic script lettering, as these boxes were often purchased as a souvenir of visiting a specific place. The work of William Williams II is scarce, however he was a very fine box maker working during this period, often of innovative design.
Length: 1.6 inches, 4 cm.
Width: 1.25 inches, 3.13 cm
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![](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://www.marycooke.co.uk/british-silver-1760-1830/a-very-unusual-george-iii-silver-gilt-souvenir-vinaigrette-made-in-london-in-1819-by-william-william-ii&media=https://seek-unique-co.s3.amazonaws.com/marycooke-8876-Qfhef-OE67/stock/6967d5d176d4f_image_url_ccf56.jpg&description=This rare box is broad rectangular in form and silver gilt. The cover displays an unusual outer border decorated with flower heads and leaves including roses and tulips. Each corner displays a raying Rococo shell. The base is decorated with a circular cartouche containing a swirling floral motif surrounded by a frame of prick dot designs, scrolls and foliate motifs. The very unusual interior grille echoes the engraved design on the base and is pierced and engraved with a central swirling floral motif, surrounded by pluming scrolls and Rococo shells. This is the first time we have seen this design of grille. The sides are decorated with reeding and the box is in excellent condition, being fully marked in the base and with the sterling mark and date letter on the underside of the grille. The cover displays the word "SOUVENIR" in unusual Gothic script lettering, as these boxes were often purchased as a souvenir of visiting a specific place. The work of William Williams II is scarce, however he was a very fine box maker working during this period, often of innovative design.Length: 1.6 inches, 4 cm.Width: 1.25 inches, 3.13 cm ){kind=link}