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Bonbonnière thumbnail 2
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Not currently on display at the V&A

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.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Bonbonniere Base
  • Bonbonniere Lid
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'
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 7.8cm
  • Height: 2cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • Mark of Alexander James Strachan, goldsmith registered in London, September 21, 1799 - between 1842 and 1850 (In the base and in the lid)
  • English standard mark for gold, used from 1798 onward for 18 carat and from 1844 onward for 18 and 22 carat (In the base and on the bezel)
  • English standard mark for 18 carat gold, 1798 - 1975 (In the base, in the lid, and on the bezel)
  • London assay office mark, 1756 - 1821 (In the base)
  • London date letter, May 29, 1807 - May 28, 1808 (In the base and in the lid)
  • English duty mark for gold, 1798 - 1821 (In the base)
  • 'Gioacchino Barberi' (Signed at the bottom of the mosaic)
  • 'The Gift / of / The Most Noble / The Marquess of Hastings / K.G. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. to / John Macwhirter / M.D. / A.D. 1817' (Inscribed on the underside of the lid)
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.
Bibliographic references
  • Habsburg-Lothringen, Géza von. Gold boxes from the collection of Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert. R. & A. Gilbert, 1983. 125 p., ill. Cat no. 28, p. 63. ISBN. 0961039809.
  • Truman, Charles.The Gilbert collection of gold boxes, Vol. I. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1991, cat. no. 115, pp. 328-9. ISBN.0875871623
  • Schroder, Timothy. Gold boxes : from the Gilbert collection : an exhibition, Los Angeles : Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1986 14
Other numbers
  • MM 250 - Arthur Gilbert Number
  • 1996.569 - The Gilbert Collection, Somerset House
Collection
Accession number
LOAN:GILBERT.429:1, 2-2008

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Record createdJune 26, 2008
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