An agate casket with jewelled silver-gilt mounts and accompanying agate caddy spoon, probably London, circa 1835

rectangular with arched lid, the cagework mounts chased with scrollwork and set with turquoises and colourful gemstones, enclosing panels of honey agate with mossy inclusions, unmarked; the spoon of banded greyish agate with shaped handle,

The Duke of Hamilton, K.T., sale, Hamilton Palace Collection, first portion, Christie's, 17/20 June 1882, lot 2033, described as:

AN OBLONG CASKET, formed of slabs of moss agate, with chased silver-gilt mounting, set with coloured stones - 5 in. by 3 1/2 in., 5 in. high ; and an agate spoon

The lot purchased by the Hon. William Massey-Mainwaring, an Irish collector who lent many of his objects of art to the Victoria & Albert and Bethnal Green Museums, for £220 10/-. 

The lot is accompanied by a visiting card envelope inscribed: Hamilton Palace Label of Agate Casket, and containing its printed Hamilton Palace sale lot ticket numbered: 2033

A rare chance to acquire an object from this famous collection. In good condition, the casket would benefit from professional cleaning. Natural flaws in stone.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The sale, by the 12th Duke of Hamilton (1845-95), in 1882, of his family collections, was one of the great auctions of the nineteenth century. As an article in the Spectator (24 June 1882) described, it had caused unprecedented interest and curiosity among the general public as well as rich connoisseurs. ‘For generation after generation the owners of Hamilton Palace have filled it with fine furniture, and rare china, and scarce articles in unprocurable stone …. Until it has become a grand museum of all rare and costly things. … Hardly any house except Windsor Castle so full of treasures has escaped the desolator so long. Now, therefore, that the financial muddling of the head of the house – for … it is financial muddling rather than the usual mad wastefulness which has partly crippled the Duke – has brought the long collected treasures of Hamilton Palace to that Clearing-house of the millionaires, Christie and Manson’s, the great buyers are all agog’.