Live Auction 7850Centuries of Style: Silver, European Ceramics, Portrait Miniatures and Gold Boxes
A GEORGE II GOLD SNUFF-BOX
Lot 330

A GEORGE II GOLD SNUFF-BOX

CIRCA 1740

Closed10 June 2010

Price Realised

GBP 27,500

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A GEORGE II GOLD SNUFF-BOX
CIRCA 1740
Cartouche-shaped box with baluster sides, the cover chased in the manner of prints by Meissonnier with rocaille, strapwork and a gentleman leaning on a fountain on a sablé ground, the polished lobed sides and base similarly chased, two of the lobes chased with Corinthian column pilasters, the front applied with undulated wirework mirroring the wavy incorporated thumbpiece, the interior of the cover later engraved with an inscription and a coat-of-arms; contemporary fitted black fishskin case
2¾ in. (69 mm.) wide
2 3/8 oz. (70 gr.)
The arms are those of Minnitt for Joshua Robert Minnitt (1806-1881) impaling those of Goring, for his wife Elizabeth Goring (1808-1901). The inscription reads 'This Box, the property of Martha Minnitt, born 29th April 1677. and Married to Richard Powell 10th January 1694 was given by her descendant George Powell Esqr late of Clifton to Joshua Robert Minnitt of Annabeg in the year 1830.' (2)

Martha Minnitt (b. 1677), thence by family descent to her great-great nephew Joshua Robert Minnitt (1806-1881), thence by family descent to the present owner.

Specialist note

Annabeg (or Annaghbeg) was the Georgian home of the Minnitt family until just after World War II, located near Nenagh in County Tipperary, Ireland. The Minnitt family was primarily based in Ireland from the 17th century. Martha Minnitt was the second daughter of Robert and Jane Minnitt of Knigh Castle and Blackfort in Tipperary. Robert Minnitt was her youngest brother and the great-grandfather of Joshua Robert Minnitt. Joshua Robert Minnitt, who was a prominent landowner and active in public life. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Charles Forster Goring of Highden in Sussex at St Georges, Hanover Square on 19 May 1834. The joined coat-of-arms on the present snuff-box therefore suggest that the engraving was added after the couple married.