Very unusually, both boxes are fully marked. The larger is in outstanding condition but with an indecipherable maker's mark. It is moulded as a shell and engraved with curlicues; fully marked on lid, flange and in base for London, 1716. (Images here)

The smaller is an identical shell-shaped snuffbox by George Lewis, London 1715 which has however seen much more use. (Images here)

The engraving, though worn, is clearly in the same style and by the same hand on both boxes.
We make the assumption that the two were bought together and that the original owner preferred to use the smaller one, thus leaving the larger box unused.

Boxes of this type had been thought to date from the 1730's/40's and have not been dated definitively in the past because they are usually marked only with a maker's mark and lion. It is now clear that these are earlier examples.

Price: £3,450.00
                                                          Stock Number: 9354a