SNUFFS AND MISCELLANEOUS:

Here we have a hitherto undocumented French burl snuffbox of George Washington. I know of two other examples of a different George Washington burl snuffbox, one at Winterthur and the other at Sulgrave Manor (Washington’s ancestral home), but this design is unrecorded.

PENDING

This box eluded me for 25 years. French pressed burl boxes with American subjects are extremely rare. Up until a few months ago, I had only known of this subject through an example held at Winterthur and another at Sulgrave Manor (Washington’s ancestral home). Coincidentally, before acquiring this box, I learned of a different Washington burl box (which I also acquired) that is based on the Houdon portrait. The design of this box appears to be modeled after the 1791 “Eagle Cent” designed by John Gregory Hancock of the British firm of W. and Alexander Walker.

SOLD

Though the Liberty Cap (or Phrygian cap) was a ubiquitous symbol for both the American Revolution and the French, this is the only example of a Liberty Cap snuffbox that I have seen. Paul Revere is credited with using and proliferating the image of the Liberty Cap throughout Boston starting in 1766. The Liberty Cap half cent was the first half cent coin produced by the United States Mint. It was issued from 1793 until 1797.

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An exceptional French coquilla nut snuffbox. Masterfully carved with six men and a dog on the top. The interior is signed by the maker and dated 1854. The box or subject likely had meaning to the maker, as the composition of the men and dog is casually posed, seriously light-hearted and unique. A tour-de-force of design and execution. One of the most intricate, complex and high-relief carved coquilla boxes I have seen.

SOLD

I have handled a good number of lacquered papier-mache snuffboxes and have seen thousands more—this is the first example I have had of a fully painted miniature of a black man's face. The face occupies the full round—it is quite effective. The lacquer is of very good quality and it probably English or Continental of the Saundauer type.

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This is the finest carved coconut that I have come across. Exquisitely detailed with the owners name, "JOHN VINE" and the Colombian coat-of-arms. The arms framed by the words, ESTADOS UNIDOS DE COLOMBIA. Silver mounted with silver chain and hook.

According to Wikipedia, "The United States of Colombia was a federated republic conformed by the present countries of Colombia and Panama. It happened to the Granadina Confederation in 1863 and was replaced by the Republic of Colombia in 1886."

The Coat of Arms of The United States of Colombia contains a condor holding an olive branch; "LIBERTAD Y ORDEN" (Freedom and Order) is shown on a scroll; two cornucopias, a pomegranate; a Phrygian (Liberty) cap; and underneath the Isthmus oF Panama with ships.

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