This exceptional and rare antique Queen Anne English Britannia silver* tobacco box has an oval form.
The surface of the body is plain and unembellished.
This antique tobacco box retains the original push fit cover embellished with an impressive engraved scene depicting an impressive East Indiaman/large merchant ship, below the elucidating name 'The Richard', all above the motto 'Vento and Vellis' - Wind and Speed.
The cover opens to reveal the contemporary engraved reward inscription 'East India 1724, Mr Richard Du Cane in Pancrafs Lane near Bucklersbury, if lost a reward. London 3d Mar 1706'** to the interior of the box base.
NOTES:
* Britannia Silver - The Britannia silver standard of 958 (95.84% of fine silver), denoted by the icon of the seated Britannia holding an oval shield, was introduced by William III in 1697. This was to indicate the slightly higher standard of silver from sterling silver standard of 925 (92.5% of fine silver).
** The owner of this box, Richard Du Cane (1688-1744), was of Huguenot descent and became the director of the Bank of England in 1710. Due to the nature of his role he had an unassailable association with The East India Company.
Maker: Unknown
Date: 1708
