The oval silver mounted tortoiseshell snuff box with hinged cover,
the lid pressed with a portrait of Queen Anne in relief, signed
"OB"(
John Obrisset);
the sides and base silver; the hinge stand-away and
interior gilt,;
the silver illegibly marked to the base interior;
radiant color when light reflects from the gilt through the
translucent tortoise
(Probably after a model by John Croker (1670-1741),
impressed about
1707 to commemorate the political union that year of Scotland and
England)
Note:
A similar Obrisset box of Queen Anne in darker
tortoiseshell has been sold in this gallery. For related
information :
John Obrisset And His Work In Horn And Tortoiseshell 1705-1728, Philip A.S. Phillips
Ref : An Obrisset example in blonde
tortoiseshell depicting Charles I (after the medal by Rottiers) is
in the collection of the Victoria & Albert, London, as shown below,
Museum no. M.364-1921.
A medallion of Queen Anne, also by
Obrisset, is also in the collection of the V&A,
Museum no. A.17-1924
(John Obrisset was considered the premier maker
of horn and tortoise boxes.
He was the son of an ivory carver who emigrated to London from Dieppe, France
with the Restoration.
He was not recorded as a member of any of the guilds, but his name (usually monogrammed OB)
appears on many horn and tortoiseshell boxes of the late 17th and early 18th century.
Obrisset specialized in portraits
of English Monarchs from Charles I to George II, among other topics,
as mythology and four variants of a box with
the name and Arms of Sir Francis Drake executed in 1712.)
Condition: Very good with normal wear (several small minor dings to
silver base and mounts);
hinge in good order; tight closure;
3" Long x 2.25" Deep x .75" High
SOLD
#6803
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