90th Auction

2014/11/15

Lot 356

Probably Italian, 77 x 44 x 18 mm, circa 1860
A rare pietra dura gift box belonging to the future King George IV of Great Britain
Case: rose gold, hinged lid with onyx panel and inlaid pietra dura decoration showing three butterflies. Very fine stones such as lapis lazuli and malachite. Rim with floral ornamentation, sides with geometrical pattern and bottom with black lacquer finish. Inside lid with engraved dedication: "Presented by George Prince of Wales to William Holmes and by his grandson Tom de Brunnow Holmes to Henry Carnsew, 1865".
George IV, Prince of Wales (1762-1830)
George IV (George Augustus Frederick) was king of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and king of Hanover following the death of his father, George III, on 29 January 1820, until his own death ten years later. From 1811 until his accession, he served as Prince Regent during his father's final mental illness.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_IV_of_the_United_Kingdom, as of 09/30/2014.

estimated
8.00010.000 €
Price realized
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