Gold and tortoiseshell snuff box with an agate intaglio

A gold mounted tortoiseshell snuff box set with an agate intaglio.

English, early 19th century.

Measures 8.3 x 6.3 x 2.7cm.

The lid is set with a large, gold mounted agate intaglio carved with Flora emptying her horn of plenty into a basket held by Cupid while flowers rain from the heavens. The intaglio is German and dates to the late 17th century.

The front of the box is set with a finely chased thumb piece, decorated with a stylised shell between scrolling foliage. The inner gold rim is engraved with a commemorative inscription which reads: 'Major Gen. The Honble / Sir C. Greville K. C. B. / Obt 2 Decr 1836 Æt 57’.

Major General Sir Charles John Greville K.C.B., third but second surviving son of George Greville, 2nd Earl of Warwick (1746-1816) by his second wife, Henrietta, daughter of the Hon. Richard Vernon (1726-1800) of Hilton Park, Staffordshire. He was born on 5 April 1780 and joined the army as cornet in the Warwickshire Fencibles in 1795 before going on to see action in India, Egypt, Portugal, the Netherlands and Spain. He was promoted major general in 1819 and was M.P. For Warwick at various times between 1816 and a few months before his death, unmarried, on 2 December 1836.