Of oblong shape with plain sides and base and with reeded borders. The lid set with a cast panel depicting a pedlar in 18th century costume with a tray full of bottles at his waist supported by a strap running around his neck. Both arms are raised, the left hand holding a jug, the right a bottle. The background with an Inn scene somewhat in the style of Teniers together with foliage whilst the sky is matted. The interior with original gilding.
William (Billy) Buck of Steppes Hill Farm Antiques
The Lion Collection
Illustrated: John Culme, British Silver Boxes, 1640-1840, The Lion Collection, p.217, no. 252
Please contact us for further information
John Linnet was one of the best box makers of the 19th century and entered his first mark in partnership with William Atkinson in 1809. As Arthur Grimwade states in London Goldsmiths 1697-1837: (Their) "mark found on good quality gold boxes". The partnership was dissolved at some time before 1815 when Linnet entered his second mark as a "small worker". The best silver boxes made by him don't appear till the reign of George IV and three designs in particular became very popular: Two versions of the Pedlar"and what is known as The Ham Eater. The variant to the present Pedlar box has just one hand raised holding a goblet whilst the other supports the tray. The Ham Eater is likely to be inspired by one of the paintings of Gerrit Van Honthorst, the feathered headwear being a distinctive common feature. The inspiration of this pedlar box is somewhat harder to define. The most curious feature is the relative affluence of the seller. Very often street sellers are depicted in rather shabby clothes but this one appears in a short buttoned up coat, britches and stockings, wearing a similar feathered hat to the ham eater. One of the closest depictions of a pedlar is in The British Museum and entitled "Le Colporteur Genevois" (The Genevan Pedlar) who is also wearing a coat, britches and stockings. Linnet probably used artistic licence in order to make the box more saleable and the timing of the manufacture of this box fits well with publications on the cries of London.
Perhaps most important of all is that the top plaque also is hallmarked with the maker's mark, the king's head (duty mark) and the sterling lion passant. The lid is also marked on the inside along with the full set on the base of the interior.
A wonderful box in outstanding condition.