Emma Hawkins: A Natural World
Emma Hawkins: A Natural World
A silver-mounted Boscobel Oak snuff box, unmarked, early 18th century
Lot Closed
January 19, 02:25 PM GMT
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
A silver-mounted Boscobel Oak snuff box, unmarked, early 18th century
Oval, the lid inlaid with an image of Charles II in the Boscobel Oak with two Roundhead soldiers beneath and an angel presenting him with three crowns, the base with a later silver plaque engraved with a crest, containing a scrap of paper reading 'Made from the wood of the Boscobel Oak. Belonged to the Davies of Llanerch and Gwysaney',
8cm., 3 ¼in. long
Robert Davies (1616-1666) was a staunch Royalist and was besieged in his house at Gwysaney on 12 April 1645 by Sir William Brereton's forces. He was imprisoned in Chester Castle though later released by an order signed by Cromwell. His name appears among those deemed qualified to be made a Knight of the Royal Oak at the Restoration.
If the provenance on the scrap of paper inside the box is accurate, the box may have belonged to Davies' grandson, also called Robert (1684-1728).