Bonbonnière
1807-1808 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This box combines the talents of the early 19th century’s most productive craftsmen: Alexander James Strachan, a prolific London box maker, and Gioacchino Barberi (1783-1857), one of the most skilled micromosaicists of his time.
The subject of this mosaic is taken from a painting by Wenceslaus Peter (1742-1829), a celebrated bohemian animal painter who worked in Rome from 1774 until his death. This particular design was popular and widely reproduced in micromosaics.
An inscription on the lid indicates the box was gifted to Dr John Macwhirter by Francis Rawdon Hastings (1754-1826). Hastings was an Anglo-Irish politician who fought with distinction in the American War of Independence and in the Napoleonic wars. He commanded the British forces in India and held the title of governor-general from 1813 until 1822, and was later elevated to the titles of Viscount Loudon, Earl of Rawdon and Marquess of Hastings in 1817. The Scottish physician Dr John Macwhirter (1780-1853) had been stationed in India since 1803, first with the army and then as personal physician to the Indian royal family. He was already appointed personal physician to the Governor General, Lord Minto, when the Marquess of Hastings took over in 1813.
Dr Macwhirter held his employer in high esteem and wrote many letters to the Marquess’ wife, Lady Hastings, in praise of her philanthropy and generosity to the poor. The bonbonnière was likely a gift of gratitude to thank Dr Macwhirter for his service to the Hastings family.
We are grateful to Dr Macwhirter’s descendant, Philip Macwhirter of Melbourne, Australia for the information provided.
The subject of this mosaic is taken from a painting by Wenceslaus Peter (1742-1829), a celebrated bohemian animal painter who worked in Rome from 1774 until his death. This particular design was popular and widely reproduced in micromosaics.
An inscription on the lid indicates the box was gifted to Dr John Macwhirter by Francis Rawdon Hastings (1754-1826). Hastings was an Anglo-Irish politician who fought with distinction in the American War of Independence and in the Napoleonic wars. He commanded the British forces in India and held the title of governor-general from 1813 until 1822, and was later elevated to the titles of Viscount Loudon, Earl of Rawdon and Marquess of Hastings in 1817. The Scottish physician Dr John Macwhirter (1780-1853) had been stationed in India since 1803, first with the army and then as personal physician to the Indian royal family. He was already appointed personal physician to the Governor General, Lord Minto, when the Marquess of Hastings took over in 1813.
Dr Macwhirter held his employer in high esteem and wrote many letters to the Marquess’ wife, Lady Hastings, in praise of her philanthropy and generosity to the poor. The bonbonnière was likely a gift of gratitude to thank Dr Macwhirter for his service to the Hastings family.
We are grateful to Dr Macwhirter’s descendant, Philip Macwhirter of Melbourne, Australia for the information provided.
Object details
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Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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Materials and techniques | Micromosaic and raised, chased, and engraved varicoloured gold |
Brief description | Bonbonniere with micromosaic and raised, chased, and engraved varicoloured gold, London hallmarks for 1807-8, mark of Alexander James Strachan |
Physical description | Circular, varicoloured gold and micromosaic bonbonnière, the sides and base engine-turned and bordered by oak leaves and acorns, the cover set with a micromosaic of a dog and cat fighting in a landscape, also bordered by an oak wreath in gold, the interior of lid inscribed: 'The gift /of/the Most Noble/ The Marquis of Hastings/ K.G. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. to / John Macwhirter M.D. / A.D 1817' |
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Marks and inscriptions |
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Gallery label | 13. Snuffbox with dog and cat
Box, 1807–08. Mosaic, about 1800
Box: London, England; Alexander James Strachan (1774–1850)
Mosaic: Rome, Italy; Gioacchino Barberi (1783–1857)
Engine-turned and engraved gold with glass micromosaic
Museum no. Loan:Gilbert.429:1, 2-2008(16/11/2016) |
Credit line | The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London |
Object history | Provenance: John MacWhirter, M.D., thence by descent. Sold by D. S. Lavender, London, 7 October 1976. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | This box combines the talents of the early 19th century’s most productive craftsmen: Alexander James Strachan, a prolific London box maker, and Gioacchino Barberi (1783-1857), one of the most skilled micromosaicists of his time. The subject of this mosaic is taken from a painting by Wenceslaus Peter (1742-1829), a celebrated bohemian animal painter who worked in Rome from 1774 until his death. This particular design was popular and widely reproduced in micromosaics. An inscription on the lid indicates the box was gifted to Dr John Macwhirter by Francis Rawdon Hastings (1754-1826). Hastings was an Anglo-Irish politician who fought with distinction in the American War of Independence and in the Napoleonic wars. He commanded the British forces in India and held the title of governor-general from 1813 until 1822, and was later elevated to the titles of Viscount Loudon, Earl of Rawdon and Marquess of Hastings in 1817. The Scottish physician Dr John Macwhirter (1780-1853) had been stationed in India since 1803, first with the army and then as personal physician to the Indian royal family. He was already appointed personal physician to the Governor General, Lord Minto, when the Marquess of Hastings took over in 1813. Dr Macwhirter held his employer in high esteem and wrote many letters to the Marquess’ wife, Lady Hastings, in praise of her philanthropy and generosity to the poor. The bonbonnière was likely a gift of gratitude to thank Dr Macwhirter for his service to the Hastings family. We are grateful to Dr Macwhirter’s descendant, Philip Macwhirter of Melbourne, Australia for the information provided. |
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Other numbers |
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Collection | |
Accession number | LOAN:GILBERT.429:1, 2-2008 |
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Record created | June 26, 2008 |
Record URL |
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