English Gilt-Silver Bear Head Snuff Box, London, Early 19th Century
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
early 19th century
This English snuff box is crafted from gilt-silver and is realistically modeled in the shape of a bear's head. The exterior features finely chased fur rendered in flowing, detailed curls, with upright, naturalistically formed ears.
The elongated snout is detailed with an engraved mouth and nostrils, while the eyes are accented with inset silver pupils. A hinged lid is located at the back of the head, opening to reveal a richly gilt interior. The underside of the piece is decorated with an engraving of a horse shown in profile. The object measures 3 inches (7.6 cm) in length and is struck with English sterling hallmarks, including the lion passant, a date letter, and a maker’s mark.
The piece demonstrates a high level of metalwork artistry, combining zoomorphic form with the functional utility of a traditional 19th-century snuff box.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Length
- 3 in. (7.6 cm)
- Material
- gilt-silver
Technical characteristics
- Hallmarks
- English sterling (lion passant, date letter, maker's mark)
Design
- Form
- bear's head
- Decoration
- chased fur, engraved horse on underside
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.