William IV Silver Snuff Box with Amethyst Inset Lid
A William IV silver heavy gauge snuff box, London 1831 by Charles Reily & George Storer, Mother-of-pearl base, square form, the lid thumb piece inset with an amethyst and engraved with decorative scripted initials, internally fitted with air-tight seal. 1.57 in. x 1.57 in. x 0.91 in. Possibly a converted inkwell.
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- Mother-Of-Pearl - Mother-of-pearl, technical name "nacre", is the inner layer of a sea shell. The iridescent colours and strength of this material were widely used in the nineteenth century as an inlay in jewellery, furniture, (especially papier mache furniture) and musical instruments.
In the early 1900s it was used to make pearl buttons. Mother-of-pearl is a soft material that is easily cut or engraved.
Nowadays it is a by-product of the oyster, freshwater pearl mussel and abalone industries. - William Iv - William IV was King of the United Kingdom and King of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death in 1837, and in English furniture design it represented the brief period between the end of the Regency period, and the beginning of the Victorian period.
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