Accessory Case
ca. 1710 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
An étui is a container, and it could take many forms. This kind is sometimes known as an étui-nécessaire because it contained the essentials for the sewing or dressing table. It was probably intended to be hung from a girdle.
People
According to the inscription, the étui was a gift from Queen Anne (ruled 1702-1714) to Abigail Masham (died 1734), who, as Abigail Hill, was appointed as a personal maid to the queen about 1700. She was credited with considerable influence over the Queen, much to the annoyance of her cousin, Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough (1660-1744), who had been her early patron. In 1707 she married Samuel Masham, and in 1711 she was given control of the privy purse. Her husband was created a Baron in 1712. She retired from Court on Queen Anne's death in 1714.
Authenticity
The étui has survived some close scrutiny in the past, but it can be difficult to judge the date of hardstone objects with relatively little mounting. The flowers chased on the fruit-knife handle look mid-18th century. The knife could be a replacement, but it is possible that the whole étui is also mid-18th century.
An étui is a container, and it could take many forms. This kind is sometimes known as an étui-nécessaire because it contained the essentials for the sewing or dressing table. It was probably intended to be hung from a girdle.
People
According to the inscription, the étui was a gift from Queen Anne (ruled 1702-1714) to Abigail Masham (died 1734), who, as Abigail Hill, was appointed as a personal maid to the queen about 1700. She was credited with considerable influence over the Queen, much to the annoyance of her cousin, Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough (1660-1744), who had been her early patron. In 1707 she married Samuel Masham, and in 1711 she was given control of the privy purse. Her husband was created a Baron in 1712. She retired from Court on Queen Anne's death in 1714.
Authenticity
The étui has survived some close scrutiny in the past, but it can be difficult to judge the date of hardstone objects with relatively little mounting. The flowers chased on the fruit-knife handle look mid-18th century. The knife could be a replacement, but it is possible that the whole étui is also mid-18th century.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 7 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Agate, mounted in gold, set with an emerald and diamonds, with gold suspension chains, containing scissors, bodkin, fruit knife and combined pen and pencil |
| Brief description | Étui case, a gift from Queen Anne |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Engraved on the base: 'Masham from her Lovin Dux' |
| Gallery label |
|
| Credit line | Bequeathed by John Jones |
| Summary | Object Type An étui is a container, and it could take many forms. This kind is sometimes known as an étui-nécessaire because it contained the essentials for the sewing or dressing table. It was probably intended to be hung from a girdle. People According to the inscription, the étui was a gift from Queen Anne (ruled 1702-1714) to Abigail Masham (died 1734), who, as Abigail Hill, was appointed as a personal maid to the queen about 1700. She was credited with considerable influence over the Queen, much to the annoyance of her cousin, Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough (1660-1744), who had been her early patron. In 1707 she married Samuel Masham, and in 1711 she was given control of the privy purse. Her husband was created a Baron in 1712. She retired from Court on Queen Anne's death in 1714. Authenticity The étui has survived some close scrutiny in the past, but it can be difficult to judge the date of hardstone objects with relatively little mounting. The flowers chased on the fruit-knife handle look mid-18th century. The knife could be a replacement, but it is possible that the whole étui is also mid-18th century. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 950:1 to 7-1882 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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