A good South Staffordshire enamel snuff box of naval interest c.1780

A good South Staffordshire enamel snuff box of naval interest c.1780, the oval form painted with a portrait of Admiral Keppel, dressed in elaborate costume and looking to his left, reserved in a raised scrollwork border on a dark pink ground, the sides with flower sprays in raised enamel, a mirror to the interior cover, 5.5cm.

Augustus Keppel, 1st Viscount Keppel, served during the Seven Years War, and later as First Lord of the Admiralty during the War of American Independence. Charges of misconduct were brought against him by Vice Admiral Sir Hugh Palliser following the battle of Ushant, but following a court martial, Keppel was honourably acquitted. The portrait on this box is after a medal by T Lyng, struck in 1779 to commemorate his acquittal.