Nathaniel Mills - Kenilworth Castle - An extremely rare Castle Top Table Snuff Box made in Birmingham in 1838 by Nathaniel Mills.

Nathaniel Mills - Kenilworth Castle - An extremely rare Castle Top Table Snuff Box made in Birmingham in 1838 by Nathaniel Mills.

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374471

The Snuff Box is broad rectangular in form and the cover displays an exceptional raised castle top scene, in releif, of Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire. The scene is in original, crisp, condition, with no wear and is contained within an outer foliate, scroll and flower head frame, all in high relief. The incuse sides are decorated with crisp engine turning and are also flanked by two bands of raised flower heads, shells and scrolls. The base is also decorated with engine turning, with a plain surround. The interior displays exceptional gilding and both the base and cover, are well marked and the box shows the quality of the work of this master box maker. Most snuff boxes were pocket size and to find an example which was used on the dining table, especially a castle top, is most unusual.

KENILWORTH CASTLE

Kenilworth Castle is located in the town of the same name in Warwickshire. Constructed from Norman through to Tudor times, the castle has been described by architectural historian, Anthony Emery as the finest surviving example of a semi Royal palace of the later Middle Ages, significant for its scale and quality of workmanship. Kenilworth has also played an important historical role. The castle was the subject of the six month long siege of Kenilworth in 1266, believed to be the longest siege in English History, and formed a base for Lancastrian operations in the wars of the Roses. Kenilworth was also the scene of the removal of Edward II from the English throne, the French insult to Henry V in 1414, and the Earl of Leicester's lavish reception of Elizabeth I in 1575.

The Castle was significantly enlarged by King John at the beginning of the 13th century and was partly destroyed by Parliamentary forces in 1649 to prevent it being used as a military stronghold. The castle became a tourist destination from the 18th century onwards, becoming famous during the Victorian period following the publication of Sir Walter Scott's novel, Kenilworth, in 1826.

Length: 3.2 inches.
Width: 2.1 inches.
height: 1.1 inches.
Weight: 5.5 oz.

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