Late George III silver rectangular snuff box by John Douglas
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1818
This late George III period snuff box, crafted from silver by the maker John Douglas, exhibits a traditional rectangular form typical of early 19th-century personal accessories.
The construction features a hinged cover paired with a base decorated in high relief and intricate detail. The cover is adorned with an embossed scene depicting three gentlemen engaged in leisure while relaxing within a garden setting. Complementing this central motif, the sides of the box are detailed with an engraved band of foliate scrollwork, showcasing the decorative craftsmanship of the era. The piece was hallmarked in London in 1818.
With a length of 85mm and a total weight of 4.7oz, the box serves as a functional and aesthetic example of Regency-era silver smithing, intended for the carriage of snuff. Its design balances narrative pictorial elements on the lid with refined, repetitive organic ornamentation on the lower body, reflecting the stylistic preferences prevalent in British silver production during the reign of King George III.
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
- 85mm
- Weight
- 4.7oz
- Material
- silver
Design
- Shape
- rectangular
- Origin
- London
- Decoration
- engraved foliate scroll band, embossed garden scene with three gentlemen
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
- John Douglas
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.