Bonbonnière
1785 (made), ca.1802 (enamelled)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
John, Regent of Portugal, presented this elegant Russian box to Admiral Sir John Jervis, 1st Earl of St Vincent (1734-1823). In 1806 Jervis led the British fleet to Lisbon in a pre-emptive show of force against French. The present Portuguese miniature probably replaced a Russian one originally mounted in the box, possibly a gift of Catherine the Great.
Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.
Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.
Object details
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| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Gold, enamel, diamonds, glazed miniature |
| Brief description | Gold and enamel bonbonnière, set with diamonds and a glazed miniature, St. Petersburg, 1785, by David Rudolph |
| Physical description | Circular gold bonbonnière enamelled in translucent blue over engine-turned ground bordered by rose-cut diamonds; a guilloche of blue on an opaque white ground encloses enamel 'pearls' (some missing), around rose-diamond entwined ribbons, with an inner border of blue and white petals. In the centre is a portrait under glass, of John VI Portugal (1769-1826), shown bust length in a scarlet coat and wearing the Order of the Golden Fleece. The walls and base are enamelled in translucent blue over an engine-turned ground, the base having a border of 'pearls'. The lid is engraved with an inscription. |
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| Gallery label | 5. Bonbonnière, 1785, with miniature of John VI of Portugal, about 1802
Museum no. Loan:Gilbert.347:1, 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: Sotheby's, New York, 34674. Acquired by Arthur Gilbert from S.J. Phillips Ltd, London, 1995. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | John, Regent of Portugal, presented this elegant Russian box to Admiral Sir John Jervis, 1st Earl of St Vincent (1734-1823). In 1806 Jervis led the British fleet to Lisbon in a pre-emptive show of force against French. The present Portuguese miniature probably replaced a Russian one originally mounted in the box, possibly a gift of Catherine the Great. Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996. |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | LOAN:GILBERT.347:1, 2-2008 |
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| Record created | June 26, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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