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ID #SA1192153
FOR SALE
£12,500
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A Rare Masterpiece of Victorian Scottish Goldsmithing the David Mcdonald 18ct Gold Snuff Box Glasgow 1843
Sandbanks Antiques
for sale €14,625     $15,875
£12,500
Sandbanks Antiques

Sandbanks Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2025
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    Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné
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A Rare Masterpiece of Victorian Scottish Goldsmithing the David Mcdonald 18ct Gold Snuff Box Glasgow 1843

19th century
Description

A Rare Masterpiece of Scottish Goldsmithing: The David McDonald 18ct Gold Snuff Box (1843)

The Pinnacle of Victorian Luxury

Offered here is an exceptional survivor of the early Victorian era: a solid 18ct yellow gold snuff box of remarkable provenance and craftsmanship. Hallmarked in Glasgow, 1843, this piece represents a golden age of Scottish artistry, crafted by the esteemed goldsmith David McDonald.

Artistry & Design

This box is a tactile triumph. Its rounded rectangular form is designed to rest perfectly in the palm, weighing a substantial 79 grams—a testament to the generous gauge of gold used in its construction.

The exterior is entirely enveloped in intricate acanthus scroll-work, a masterclass in deep engraving that creates a shimmering play of light across the surface. The lid features a sculpted foliate thumbpiece for effortless opening, revealing a central vacant cartouche—an untouched canvas awaiting the new owner’s crest or initials.

Historical Significance

While silver snuff boxes from this period are admired, 18ct gold examples from Glasgow are exceedingly rare. In 1843, as Glasgow blossomed into the "Second City of the Empire," David McDonald was at the height of his powers. This box is not merely an accessory; it is a piece of Scottish social history, hallmarked with the iconic Tree, Fish, and Bell of the Glasgow City Arms.

Specifications

Maker: David McDonald, Glasgow

Date: 1843 (Early Victorian)

Material: Solid 18ct Yellow Gold

Weight: 79g

Dimensions: 7cm Wide

Condition: Excellent, featuring crisp engraving and a perfectly tensioned hinge.

Investment Potential

As gold prices continue to show strength, this piece offers a dual-layered investment: the intrinsic value of high-purity gold combined with the rapidly appreciating market for rare Scottish provincial metalwork.

A true collector’s piece for those who demand the finest in British heritage.

Declaration

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Victorian Gold Snuff Box to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1192153
Description
A Rare Masterpiece of Scottish Goldsmithing: The David McDonald 18ct Gold Snuff Box (1843)

The Pinnacle of Victorian Luxury

“
Offered here is an exceptional survivor of the early Victorian era: a solid 18ct yellow gold snuff box of remarkable provenance and craftsmanship.
Sandbanks Antiques

Hallmarked in Glasgow, 1843, this piece represents a golden age of Scottish artistry, crafted by the esteemed goldsmith David McDonald.

fig 1. A rectangular 18ct gold Victorian snuff box with detailed foliate scroll engraving and a blank central cartouche.
fig 1. A Rare Masterpiece of Victorian Scottish Goldsmithing the David Mcdonald 18ct Gold Snuff Box Glasgow 1843

Artistry & Design

This box is a tactile triumph. Its rounded rectangular form is designed to rest perfectly in the palm, weighing a substantial 79 grams—a testament to the generous gauge of gold used in its construction.

fig 2. A rectangular 18ct gold Victorian snuff box with detailed foliate scroll engraving and a blank central cartouche.
fig 2. A Rare Masterpiece of Victorian Scottish Goldsmithing the David Mcdonald 18ct Gold Snuff Box Glasgow 1843

The exterior is entirely enveloped in intricate acanthus scroll-work, a masterclass in deep engraving that creates a shimmering play of light across the surface. The lid features a sculpted foliate thumbpiece for effortless opening, revealing a central vacant cartouche—an untouched canvas awaiting the new owner’s crest or initials.

Historical Significance

While silver snuff boxes from this period are admired, 18ct gold examples from Glasgow are exceedingly rare. In 1843, as Glasgow blossomed into the "Second City of the Empire," David McDonald was at the height of his powers. This box is not merely an accessory; it is a piece of Scottish social history, hallmarked with the iconic Tree, Fish, and Bell of the Glasgow City Arms.

Specifications

Maker: David McDonald, Glasgow

Date: 1843 (Early Victorian)

Material: Solid 18ct Yellow Gold

Weight: 79g

Dimensions: 7cm Wide

Condition: Excellent, featuring crisp engraving and a perfectly tensioned hinge.

Investment Potential

As gold prices continue to show strength, this piece offers a dual-layered investment: the intrinsic value of high-purity gold combined with the rapidly appreciating market for rare Scottish provincial metalwork.

A true collector’s piece for those who demand the finest in British heritage.

Date of Manufacture

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Victorian Gold Snuff Box to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1192153
Sandbanks Antiques
Sandbanks Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2025

Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Sandbanks Antiques Profile Page

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A rectangular 18ct gold Victorian snuff box with detailed foliate scroll engraving and a blank central cartouche.
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Archive I A rectangular 18ct gold Victorian snuff box with detailed foliate scroll engraving and a blank central cartouche.

A Rare Masterpiece of Victorian Scottish Goldsmithing The David McDonald 18ct Gold Snuff Box Glasgow 1843

Archive II A rectangular 18ct gold Victorian snuff box with detailed foliate scroll engraving and a blank central cartouche. View II
Archive III A rectangular 18ct gold Victorian snuff box with detailed foliate scroll engraving and a blank central cartouche. View III
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Sandbanks Antiques

Sandbanks Antiques
Telephone 07889 139677
Location
Sandbanks
Poole
Dorset
United Kingdom

By appointment only in Poole or London.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/sandbanks
Verified Since Jan 2025
Items For Sale 177
Items Sold 79
Sandbanks Antiques
Sandbanks Antiques
Verified Since Jan 2025
View Dealer Info
Location: Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom, , By appointment only in Poole or London.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/sandbanks
Verified
Jan 2025
For Sale
177
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A rectangular 18ct gold Victorian snuff box with detailed foliate scroll engraving and a blank central cartouche.
A Rare Masterpiece of Victorian Scottish Goldsmithing The David McDonald 18ct Gold Snuff Box Glasgow 1843
Ref: SA1192153
A rectangular 18ct gold Victorian snuff box with detailed foliate scroll engraving and a blank central cartouche.
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FAQs

During the Victorian period, solid gold snuff boxes were symbols of high social status and wealth. Snuff taking was a prevalent ritual among the upper classes, leading goldsmiths to create highly ornate, portable containers to display social standing during social gatherings.

High-purity gold, typically 18ct or 22ct, was the primary material used. Craftsmen applied techniques such as hand engraving, chasing, engine turning, and hand-fitted piano hinges to ensure airtight closure and structural integrity.

Authentic Scottish pieces feature official assay hallmarks, such as the thistle mark or city marks like the Glasgow tree, fish, and bell. They also display specific date letters and registered makers initials stamped into the metal interior or rim.

Small precious metal objects function effectively as curio accents on a study desk, styled atop a stack of hardcover books, or displayed inside a glass-topped collectors cabinet to add warmth and historical contrast.

Gold should be gently wiped with a soft, untreated microfibre cloth to remove oils and dust. Avoid abrasive chemical polishes or ultrasonic cleaners, as these can damage crisp historical hand engraving and alter original patination.
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