Live Auction 5467The Althorp Attic Sale - Including the Spencer Carriages
AN EDWARD VII SILVER CIGARETTE-BOX
Lot 392

AN EDWARD VII SILVER CIGARETTE-BOX

MARK OF JAMES SAMUEL BELL AND LOUIS WILLMOTT, LONDON, 1903

Closed8 July 2010

Price Realised

GBP 937

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AN EDWARD VII SILVER CIGARETTE-BOX
MARK OF JAMES SAMUEL BELL AND LOUIS WILLMOTT, LONDON, 1903
Rectangular on four scroll feet, hinged cover and sides chased with Art Nouveau-style fruiting foliage, the hinged cover further set with a medallion depicting William Ewart Gladstone, engraved around the medallion with an inscription and on the cover with a further inscription, cedar-lined interior
5 7/8 in. (15 cm.) wide
The inscription around the medallion reads 'Born in Liverpool 29th December 1809 buried in Westminster Abbey, May 1898'.
The second inscription reads 'Memorial statue unveiled in Liverpool by Earl Spencer, K.G. 16 July 1904'

Presented to John, 5th Earl Spencer (1835-1910), on the occasion of the unveiling of the sculpture of Sir William Ewart Gladstone on 16 July 1904.

Specialist note

The statue of the celebrated 19th century prime-minister Sir William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898), a son of Liverpool, was executed by Sir Thomas Brock (1847-1942) at the cost of £5,000, paid for by the citizens of Liverpool. Brock was later commissioned to design the Queen Victorian Memorial for the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. The sculpture of Gladstone was unveiled by John, 5th Earl Spencer (1835-1910) who had served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland under his government and had served in two of his cabinets. The sculpture was placed in St. John's Gardens, which had been newly created beside the St. George's Hall in Liverpool.