George III sterling silver snuff box with Moroccan plaque, London 1788 by Peter Carter
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
London 1788
This George III sterling silver snuff box, assayed in London in 1788 and crafted by Peter Carter, features an elegant elliptical form with a hinged lid. The exterior is decorated with bright-cut engraved herringbone bands along the edges.
The lid is inset with a later 19th-century Moroccan plaque, which is engraved on the front with Arabic calligraphy stating, 'The citizen of Timbuktu are the first to enter heaven.' The interior of the box is gilded, and the plaque bears an inscription to the interior reading, 'Presented to John Drummon in Tangier 1250 AH,' corresponding to 1834-35 in the Gregorian calendar. The snuff box measures 8.5 cm (3.35 inches) in length and has a total weight of 74 grams (2.38 ozt).
This piece represents a unique blend of Georgian English silver craftsmanship and North African cultural epigraphy, reflecting the historical presence of British consuls in Morocco during the 19th century.
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
- 8.5 cm
- Weight
- 74 grams
- Material
- sterling silver, gilt interior
Technical characteristics
- Assay
- London 1788
Design
- Form
- elliptical
- Decoration
- bright cut herringbone bands
- Inscriptions
- Arabic on lid front; 'Presented to John Drummon in Tangier 1250 AH' on interior
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.
- Maker named in listing
- Peter Carter
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.