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View full screen - View 1 of Lot 1211. A gold snuff box, London, 1752-1753.

A gold snuff box, London, 1752-1753

Auction Closed

October 14, 05:38 PM GMT

Estimate

12,000 - 18,000 EUR

Lot Details

Description

A gold snuff box, London, 1752-1753


rectangular, the lid chased in high relief with the Continence of Scipio within scrolling rocaille borders on a finely matted ground, the baluster sides chased with architectural elements, classical vases and flowers, with slightly raised scroll thumbpiece, reeded foot-rim, plain polished base, struck with maker's mark 'GH', with the English post-1739 standard mark for gold, London assay mark for 1739-1756, London date letter for 1752/1753

weight: 158.8 g

length 3⅛ in.; 7,8 cm.

weight 160g

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Tabatière en or, Londres, 1752-1753


rectangulaire, le couvercle représentant la Clémence de Scipion, les côtés en balustre ciselés d'éléments architecturaux, de vases classiques et de fleurs, poinçon de l'orfèvre 'GH', poinçon du standard anglais post-1739 pour l'or, poinçon d'essai de Londres pour 1739-1756, lettre date de Londres pour 1752/1753

weight: 158.8 g

length 3⅛ in.; 7,8 cm.

weight 160g

Christie's London, 8 December 2011, lot 132.

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Christie's Londres, 8 décembre 2011, lot 132.

The seated figure represented in the chased scene on the lid of the present lot is Scipio Africanus, the great Roman general whose most famous triumph was the defeat of Hannibal in 202 BC. This episode sees him demonstrate clemency and grace to the vulnerable. After his army have just won a significant victory in Spain, Scipio is presented with a beautiful young virgin as part of the spoils of battle. However, Scipio finds out that she is already engaged to a prominent local prince, and spares them both the humiliation: he gives her back unharmed to her fiancé, asking only that they be friends to Rome in the future. The subject was a popular example of the virtues of compassion and magnanimity, and was frequently depicted in art by painters including Bellini, Poussin and Reynolds.