Charles I

Charles I, the "Sovereigns of England", c. 1636, by or from the workshop of Simon de Passe, a 'set' of silver gaming counters depicting the sovereigns of England, within a contemporary silver box: 33 circular counters, bearing half-length portraits of the kings and queens of England from Harold I to James I, with additional counters depicting relatives of James I, most reverses a shield of arms, each in imitation of engraving and the set contained in a contemporary cylindrical silver box (lacking the lid), with four panels decorated with military trophies and of arms and the base with a figure of Time, counters approx. 25mm; box approx. 28mm high x 28mm diameter (MI 380/282). The counters mostly fine and several very fine; the box somewhat ragged around the top rim. (lot)

The counters included in the set are of Edward the Confessor, Harold II, William I, William II, Henry I, Stephen, Richard I, Henry II, John (2), Henry III, Edward I, Edward III, Richard II, Henry IV, Henry V, Henry VI, Edward IV, Edward V, Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary, Philip II of Spain, Elizabeth I (2), James I (2), Anne of Denmark (2), Henry Prince of Wales, Charles II as Prince of Wales (2), Frederick of Bohemia, Elizabeth of Bohemia, and Charles Louis of Bohemia. Three monarchs are lacking from the set, as are Henrietta Maria, and James II as Duke of York.

Provenance: Assembled from various sources.