Description:

George IV of England King

Windsor Castle oak snuff box lid

 

Snuff box lid made from Windsor Castle oak tree, reclaimed during George IV's renovation of the royal palace, circa 1825. Extensive provenance established by a printed paper label located on the underside of 3" diameter lid decorated with concentric turnings and domed outer edge. In very good condition, with expected surface wear and loss to inner lid rim.

 

The label reads in full: "In me behold an emblem of mortality. After a reign in my native Woods of nearly 200 Years, I was cut down to become the main prop of the PALACE of KINGS, but like them Time's withering hand came upon me, for after a faithful service of upwards of 500 Years in WINDSOR CASTLE I also was removed in the reign of George IV. to make room for the more young & powerful of my kind. You hold now in your hands part of my remains, in the shape of a BOX, to contain a luxury not known when I was young, & such was the mutilated fate of nearly all my OLD COMPANIONS. 1825. Manufactured by J. Parker, Turner to his Majesty. Eton, near Windsor Bridge."

 

Windsor Castle in Berkshire, England has served as a royal palace since the time of the Norman Conquest. It was extensively renovated in the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries to accommodate changing tastes and needs. George IV requested £300,000 from Parliament for a large-scale exterior and interior renovation of Windsor Castle starting in 1824. Georgian improvements included redecorating apartments in Gothic and Rococo styles, and enlarging and restructuring outer elements. Sometime during this frenzied rebuilding, the oak tree from which this snuff box was made was condemned. Windsor Castle renovations wrapped up in 1840, and at more than 200% over budget.

 

A handsome Georgian souvenir from the historic domicile of English monarchs!

 

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