SNUFFS AND MISCELLANEOUS:

Snuffboxes are an incredible category - they can span from the early 17th century to the late 19th century and were created in every material under the sun. Though they were created for all classes, our interest lies with those that were created more for the middle and upper middle class. These boxes are less formal than jewel encrusted gold boxes and frankly a hell of a lot more interesting - boxes made of carved wood, horn or ivory and black lacquered papier mache boxes with esquisite miniature erotic scenes painted upon them and those which have American and/or historical interest. Here you will also find choice smalls from the 17th - early 19th century.

Rare "The Rights of Man" Double Sided Snuffbox

Circa: 1810-1820
Size: 3 1/8"D

A fascinating double sided pressed horn box with articles addressing "The Rights of Man." Relating to Lafayette's and Thomas Jefferson's "Declaration of the Rights of Man," of 1789 and Thomas Paine's book of 1791. The language is just superb! Below is a full transcription.

The Rights Of Man.
Men are equals in rights.
These alienable rights are liberty, safety, property, and resistance against oppression.
Liberty is the right of doing all that is not prejudicial to others.
Safety is the right of being protected by public force against evil minded men.
Property consists and disposing of our wealth as we please.
Resistance against oppression is the right of repelling by force any arbitrary action or order.
Every citizen is accountable to his country for his life and fortune.

The Sovereignty Resides In The Nation.
All public power derives from it.
All trustees of any public power are accountable to the nation.
The nation only or its representatives freely elected have a right to make laws and impose taxes.
The law is the expression of a general consent.
No one can be judged nor must obey but according to the law.
The right of declaring war for making peace belongs to the nation.

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J.M.W. Turner's Silver Mounted Smoky Agate Snuffbox

Dated: 1785
Size:2 1/4" x 2 1/4" x 1"

A small octagonal snuffbox, the top and bottom set with a smoky quartz agate. The sides etched, "JOSEPH MALLARD WILLIAM TURNER / 1785."

J.M.W. Turner, RA (1775-1851), an inveterate snuffer (he was even known to mix it in his paint), is arguably England's most esteemed (and controversial) landscape painter. Turner's talent developed early and in his early teens was selling works in his father's barber shop. As acclaim for his talent met with financial reward, Turner took to experimentation and challanged traditional conventions - his landscapes became moody, romanic, impressionistic and often resembled colorfield abstractions (much like this smoky agate).

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English Horn Beaker by Nathaniel Spilman for "The Society of Universal Goodwill"

Circa: 1782-1792
Size: 5"H x 4 1/2"D

This, I believe, is the finest and most eloborately decoarted horn beaker extant. The beaker is composed in the round and carved with the precision of a copper engraver. The Society of Universal Goodwill was founded in Norwich/Yarmouth in 1784 by Dr. John Murray and originally named The Scots Society. The front contains an armorial with a rising sun and then quartered with animals reprerenting different continents; Europe is represented by the sheep, Asia by an Elephant, Africa by an ostrich and America by a beaver. Below this is a jew's harp. This is framed by the motto, "Be Ye Wise As Serpents And Harmless As Doves." Above reads "Love Ye The Stranger." It is signed on the sides, "Nat. Spilman / South(?) Sea(?) Yarmouth" The back panel illustrates a man aiding a distressed woman in a library with checkered floor, lecturn, globe and ewer (possibly Masonic).

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NATHANIEL SPILMAN HORN BEAKER

Dated: August 11, 1788
Size: 5 1/4" H

The front with a view of the Newcastle Exchange Spire, the reverse with barber scene, inscribed "Ino [John] Cubitt, HairDresser, No. 25 London Lane, Norwich, Aug.t 11 1788, N. Spilman, Fecit." The hairdressing scene is wonderful and quite unexpected.

Other horn beakers by Spilman are in the National Maritime Museum, London, U.K., and the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery Royal Pavilion Gardens, Brighton, U.K.

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SCOTTISH EBONY & IVORY SNUFF JAR

Circa: 1700-1720
Size: 5 1/4" x 5 3/4

This exceptional covered jar (relating in style and form to snuff mulls of the period) is the largest example of the early Scottish staved balaster (mull) shape that I have encountered. The treen cover is mounted with an ivory finial in the form of a crown. Remarkably the piece is in near perfect condition maintaining all of its' original staves, original lead lining, and base-tray.

• SOLD

Black Humored English Snuffbox

Circa: 1820
Size: 3 3/8" D

This is really quite dark and macabre—the man is cheerfully toasting his dead, hanging wife. The verse, from Shakespeare's "The Tempest, reads, "Merrily, Merrily shall I live now, Under the blossom that hangs on the Bough."

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New York City Snuffbox

Circa: 1820
Size: 3 3/8"D

A rare New York City snuffbox with a painted transfer print illustrating, "LANDING PLACE AT THE FOOT OF BARCLAY ST, NY."

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New York City Snuffbox

Circa: 1820
Size: 3 1/4" x 2 1/8" x 7/8"

A rare New York City snuffbox with a painted transfer print illustrating, [LANDING PLACE AT THE FOOT OF CORTLAND ST, NY].

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The Second Barbary War (aka Algerian War) Snuffbox

Circa: 1815
Size: 3 1/2"D

Snuffbox with image from the Second Barbary War also known as the Algerian War.

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RARE INTERRACIAL SNUFFBOX

Circa: 1810
Size: 3 3/4" D" x 3/4"

A fine (high quality) black lacquered papier mache snuffbox with a very rare subject matter beautifully and meticulously painted - a white woman applying make-up to a black woman as she looks into a looking glass. Early depictions of black people are usually overtly exploitive or political, this is entirely affectionate.

The painting is after the work of French Court miniaturist Louis-Marie Sicardi, titled, "MIRATE CHE BEL VISINO" ("Behold What A Beautiful Little Face.")

• SOLD

United States of Colombia Carved Coconut

Circa: 1863-1886
Size: 5" long x 3 1/2" wide x 2 3/4" deep.

This is the finest carved coconut that I have come across. Exquisitely detailed with the owners name, "JOHN VINE" and the Colombian coat-of-arms. The arms framed by the words, ESTADOS UNIDOS DE COLOMBIA. Silver mounted with silver chain and hook.

According to Wikipedia, "The United States of Colombia was a federated republic conformed by the present countries of Colombia and Panama. It happened to the Granadina Confederation in 1863 and was replaced by the Republic of Colombia in 1886."

The Coat of Arms of The United States of Colombia contains a condor holding an olive branch; "LIBERTAD Y ORDEN" (Freedom and Order) is shown on a scroll; two cornucopias, a pomegranate; a Phrygian (Liberty) cap; and underneath the Isthmus oF Panama with ships.

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