A fine George III period rectangular snuff box in black lacquered paper mache' with very elaborate silver pique' inlay, the lid with an oval laurel wreath centering a family crest depicting a unicorn, the back with another oval motif centering the gothic initials "CL", all of this against a background of very small silver inlaid clamshells. The interior has a very handsome and elaborate gilded brass hinge plate supporting the silver hinge. There are no marks, but we have tested the metal on the thumb piece as 900 silver.
This is the most elaborate bit of silver pique' we have ever had.
3 1/2 inches W X 2 inches X 7/8 inches H.
Condition: Excellent. There are no losses to the silver inlay. Just a few very minor dings to the reeded silver banding around each end.