An exceptionally rare early George I Snuff Box made in London circa 1714 by John Swann.

An exceptionally rare early George I Snuff Box made in London circa 1714 by John Swann.
An exceptionally rare early George I Snuff Box made in London circa 1714 by John Swann.
An exceptionally rare early George I Snuff Box made in London circa 1714 by John Swann.
An exceptionally rare early George I Snuff Box made in London circa 1714 by John Swann.
An exceptionally rare early George I Snuff Box made in London circa 1714 by John Swann.
An exceptionally rare early George I Snuff Box made in London circa 1714 by John Swann.
An exceptionally rare early George I Snuff Box made in London circa 1714 by John Swann.
An exceptionally rare early George I Snuff Box made in London circa 1714 by John Swann.

An exceptionally rare early George I Snuff Box made in London circa 1714 by John Swann.

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Category

Fine Boxes

Reference

374000

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The Snuff Box is oval in form with a plain base and sides. The hinged cover, however, is most beautifully engraved with a very rare contemporary theatre scene, displaying actors in costume on a stage, with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and musicians either side playing the violin. The scene is flanked by caryatid supports on each side and a frame of foliate scrolls and floral garlands. The scene also depicts exotic birds and squirrels eating fruit. This has all been executed to the finest standard for this early date. The box is in excellent condition and has a good colour. The base of the interior is stamped with the maker's mark of IS below a swan for John Swann, which he entered as a small worker on 18th June, 1714.

A similar box can be seen in the catalogue of the Lion Collection, by the same maker, and is illustrated on page 105. It is interesting to see that Swann has engraved the same squirrels on this box, as are seen on the one which we are presently offering for sale.

Length: 2.75 inches, 6.88cm.
Width: 2.1 inches, 5.25cm.
Height: 0.5 inches, 1.25cm.

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