ANTIQUE 18thC ENGLISH SOLID GOLD EXCEPTIONAL SNUFF BOX, WILLIAM GATTLIFFE c1710
18th Century Queen Anne / George I gold snuff box, of rectangular form, the hinged cover beautifully bright-cut engraved with a floral decoration centered by initials PW surmounted by a crest, applied reeded borders.
Hallmarked with makers marks for William Gattliffe.
REFERENCE NUMBER: A3595
DESCRIPTION
Antique early-18th Century exceptionally rare Queen Anne / George I solid gold snuff box, of rectangular form, the hinged cover beautifully bright-cut engraved with a floral decoration centered by initials PW surmounted by a crest, applied reeded borders.
The engraving appears to be original and the initials "PW" are probably those of Patience Warde (Mayor of London in 1680's).
Such English Queen Anne / George I gold snuff boxes are exceptionally rare and sought after, this appears to be particularly large, finely crafted and in mint condition, coming with the original purse.
Both parts bearing the mark of William Gattliffe, a goldsmith operating in London from 1700 and surely out of business in 1720's, see Jackson's p. 161 and Grimwade p. 484: "Gat(t)liffe, william (742) Son of the same Samuel gatliffe deceased, apprenticed to William Francis 8 July 1692. Free, 7 October 1700. Mark entered as smallworker, 22 Sept. 1703. Address: Abchurch Lane. Heal records him as goldsmith, parish of St. Olave's".
A gold snuff box by the same goldsmith is published in: Clare Le Corbeiller, European and American Snuff Boxes, 1730-1830, 1966, fig. 269. The caption notes, "The maker's mark appears to be the same as that, recorded by Jackson, on a tobacco box of 1709-10; an earlier variant of the mark occurs in 1702-3".
CONDITION
In Excellent Condition - No damage, very crisp.
SIZE
Length: 7.8cm
Width: 5.7 x 1.2cm
Weight: 100g