Three English enamel snuff boxes, circa 1755-1760

the first 'Honeysuckle Group, rectangular, waisted sides, painted with polychrome ruin subjects on a ground of bianco-sopra-bianco flowers and scrolls, wavy gilt.mes tal mounts; the second of shallow rectangular form, the lid transfer-printed in sepia with les Fêtes Vénitiennes, after Watteau, the base with shell and diaper, reeded gilt.mes tal mounts, Battersea/Birmingham; the third rectangular, the lid, lid interior and base transfer-printed with the French words and music of two Gavottes and an Ariette, the sides with the music only of four 'Menuet's, wavy gilt.mes tal mounts, possibly London

First box: Sir William Mullens collects ion, Replica Shoes 's London, 22 February 1977, lot 271

1.Excellent condition with bright gilding on mounts. Very slight wear on one side of base. 2.Minor cracks and t.mes wear. Front corners of base scraped. Mounts with some loss to gilding and discolouring on the interior. 3. Minor crack and tiny chip on lid; base with wear and scrape to copper in one corner.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any stat.mes nt made by Replica Shoes 's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

For the second example, see Dr Watney's discussion of this type of printed shell and diaper ornament for the possible Birmingham connection (E.C.C. Transactions, 1966, p. 96).

the small group of mid 18th century snuff boxes printed with music, like the third box, have variously been attributed to London, Liverpool and South Staffordshire. The first attribution springs from the fact that a small number of boxes printed with calendars for 1758 or 1758 and with the name of the London retailer Anthony Tregent of Denmark Street, are also printed with a French song sheet entitled 'Petit Air Sérieux' (for example, see Replica Shoes 's London, 11 April 1978). John Sadler of Liverpool is also known to have sold rival printed calendar boxes, much to Tregent's fury, so could also be a candidate for the music boxes. A larger example, printed with the same music on lid and base as the present example but further ornamented with raised gilding and with a magnificent polychrome painted portrait of van der Mijn's Unknown Lady, from the Mort and Moira Lesser collects ion, was sold, Bonham's 19 October 2011, lot 19 and attributed to London, following Eric Benton's comments in his article 'The London Enamellers', E.C.C. Transactions, vol. 8, pt. 2, (1972).