A cased George III 18 carat vari-coloured gold snuff box
Alexander J Strachan, London 1815
Rectangular, with central engine-turned panels within a raised lemon gold acorn and oak leaf border, the interior engraved ''William Tierney Robarts to Charles Woollam 1818'', in original red leather fitted case,
Length 7.5cm,
Weight 112.5gms.
Condition Good
Property of a Private Collector
Bonhams, London
William Tierney Robarts (1786 - 1820) was a British politician and businessman. He was a London entrepreneur and from 1810, a director of the Bank of England. On 26 February 1818 he was elected to the House of Commons in the constituency of St. Albans, where he remained until his death.
Charles Woollam (1778 - 1836) was the owner of Abbey Silk Mills in St Albans. In 1812, he was invited to become a St Albans Alderman (but declined), and in 1835 stood as a candidate for St Albans Council. After he died in 1836 his widow Elizabeth was recorded in 1841 as living in the
...Abbey Mill House.
The inscription date of 1818 suggests the box was a gift from Robarts for aid in achieving his post as MP.
Alexander James Strachan (1774–1850) was the pre-eminent gold box maker of the Regency era. Often called the ''Paul Storr of gold boxes,'' he was the primary supplier to the royal goldsmiths Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, who held the Royal Warrant.
His work is highly prized for its technical precision, particularly his use of engine-turning and heavy, high-karat gold (often 18ct).
The Royal Collection
There are several significant pieces by Strachan in the Royal Collection Trust. Because he supplied the crown''s official jewellers, many of his boxes were commissioned for royal use or as diplomatic gifts. Notable examples include:
RCIN 3962: A rectangular 18ct gold snuff box (1821–22) featuring a diamond-set cipher of George IV on a blue enamel background. It was gifted to King George V in 1912.
RCIN 4748: A gold box (c. 1800) incorporating a portrait medallion of Empress Elizabeth of Russia. This was purchased by Queen Mary and given to George V in 1933.
RCIN 3955: A gold snuff box (1808–09) featuring a coronation medal of George III.
Museum & Public Collections
Strachan’s work is a staple in the world''s most prestigious ''Objects of Vertu'' collections:
The Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A): Holds examples, particularly within the world-renowned Gilbert Collection, which features some of his most elaborate engine-turned designs.
The Fitzwilliam Museum: Contains fine examples of his late Georgian craftsmanship.
National Army Museum: Often houses presentation boxes made by Strachan, given to high-ranking military officers (such as the musical snuff box gifted to Dr. Dobson for attending to Major General Sir Charles Philip Belson).
Private Collections
Strachan boxes are ''blue-chip'' items for private collectors of gold boxes and snuff boxes.
Antique ID Number (AIDN): SA1191921
Dateline of this antique is Georgian
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