λA mid 18th century presentation parcel-gilt silver snuff box

λA mid 18th century presentation parcel-gilt silver snuff box,

unmarked,

rectangular form, the hinged cover with gilt chased animals and foliate decoration, the centre with two dancing figures form the Commedia Dell'Arte, on blue enamel decoration, the underside with a slide-off base with presentation inscription, probably later added, 'Presented by William Hogarth to his Friend Dr. H. Hoadly, 1751' and 'Human Nature is all the same in all ages of the World', the slide-off base reveals a miniature figural scene which is a copy of a Thomas Rowlandson print, after the original by Henry Bynbury called The Country Club, painted on ivory, initialled to the corner, 'W.H', length 7.5cm.

Provenance: purchased from Bonhams, Knightsbridge, Silver, 27 November 1990.