A very early and exceedingly rare box depicting the beheading of Charles I of January 30th, 1649. The carving graphically records King Charles I kneeling before the executioners axe. The scene framed by the words, "SIC PERIIT CEDRUS SILVARUM GLOIA TOTA REGNORUM DAMNUM MORS SUA REGIS HONOR" which, according to an old note within translates, "As The Cedar In The Wood Must Parish For The Glory Of The Kingdom, The King Must Parish."

Though a micro-genre of Jacobite boxes exist, this is the only box of outright Cromwellian support that I have seen.

* The bottom of this box is not the original and not period to the top. Some where along the line, someone had a custom made replacement made for preserving this important and rare historical artifact.

Literature: Nearly identical examples are pictured in DOMESTIC UTENSILS OF WOOD, O. Evan-Thomas, plate 38; and "Some Royal Snuff-boxes." Connoisseur, sept./oct. 1909, plate 2, page 94.

Condition: Excellent with a first rate surface and patina. Minor edge wear. (See note above regarding the replaced bottom.)

Price: SOLD