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Snuff box: M.85-1961

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An image of Snuff box
An image of Snuff box
Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Silversmith: Unknown

Entities

Categories

Description

Rectangular, silver box with tortoise shell lid inlaid with silver thread piqué work vignette and motto 'L'VNION CONSERVE TOUT'

Silver with tortoise shell lid inlaid with silver thread piqué work. Rectangular box with straight sides, projecting moulded edges and two projecting hinges. The lid is decorated a vignette of a tree supporting a crown, from which issue a rose and thistle; to the right there is a cherub blowing a trumpet with a Union Flag; underneath is a ribbon inscribed 'L'VNION CONSERVE TOVT'.

Notes

History note: Not known before testator

Legal notes

L.C.G. Clarke Bequest, 1960

Measurements and weight

Height: 2 cm
Length: 8 cm
Width: 5.9 cm

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1960-12-13) by Clarke, Louis Colville Gray

Dating

18th Century, Early
After 1707 - 1720

Note

The silver does not bear a maker's mark

School or Style

English

People, subjects and objects depicted

Components of the work

Lid composed of tortoise shell
Box composed of silver
Inlay composed of silver
Silver Piqué

Inscription or legends present

  • Text: L'UNION CONSERVE TOUT
  • Location: On the lid
  • Method of creation: Piqué work
  • Type: Motto

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: M.85-1961
Primary reference Number: 150673

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Monday 29 April 2024

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Applied Arts

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2025) "Snuff box" Web page available at: https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/150673 Accessed: 2025-12-05 08:14:58

Citation for Wikipedia

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{{cite web|url=https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/150673 |title=Snuff box |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-05 08:14:58|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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