~ Circa 1800-30 Royal Navy Sailors Treen Snuff Box ~
The hardwood lidded box has a fine un-hallmarked silver rounded inlay, with the British Royal Navy fouled anchor to the left identifying it is a sailors piece. There is a central spray of flowers and an exotic bird to the right. Of note are the two patterns of castle crenelations, the left of Christian European form, the right of Middle Eastern Muslim shape. No doubt a social commentary on the diverse places the sailor visited. The lid has been ebonised to a darker colour to highlight the silver, though the underlying wood is the same throughout.
~ Dimensions ~
The box has a width of 3.3 inches (8.2cm), a depth of 1.7 inches (4.4cm) and a height of 0.7 inches (1.9cm). It weighs 39g.
~ Condition ~
The silver work is complete and in good order. The lid snaps shuts very tightly. There is a chip to the upper left of the main box. I think that there was banding originally on both ends as there is an unvarnished ribbon and a few tiny tacks. The sailor would have removed these as a practical solution to snagging whilst a work.