Large William IV Silver Gilt Cast Top Vinaigrette 'The Family Music Session'

A rare and fine quality William IV large rectangular silver gilt Vinaigrette, the lid with a cast top depicting a scene of five musicians, two ladies and three gentlemen playing musical instruments, the base engine turned with a central rectangular cartouche engraved 'Edna', both within cast foliate borders, the sides also engine turned. The silver gilt grille pierced with feather scrolls.

By Nathaniel Mills, Birmingham, c1836

See: 'Silver Boxes' by Eric Delieb, plate 152, page 96, for a similar silver example by Edward Edwards, London, 1842. Delieb describes the scene as 'The Family Music Session' and suggests that it may be based on the well known painting by the Huguenot painter Philippe Mercier (1689 - 1760) which shows 'Prince Frederick and his sisters making music' , the Prince being the Cellist.

Sold - £4,200.00