A mid-18th century gold keg snuff box

A mid-18th century gold keg snuff box,

unmarked,

in the form of a barrel with hinged cover, interior with a later engraved presentation inscription 'The Gift of Caroline Queen of George II to Mary Countess of Bute who left it to her son William Archbishop of Armagh', the ends engraved "Thomas Viscount Northland, July 25th 1883', length 5.5cm, approx. weight 66.6g.

Mary Wortley Montagu (1718-1794) was the daughter of Sir Edward Wortley Montagu and Lady Mary Pierrepont, married in 1736, John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, they had at least nine children, and managed influential marriages for their daughters: Lady Mary (ca. 1741-1824), married James Lowther, later the 1st Earl of Lonsdale; Lady Anne (born ca. 1745) married Lord Warkworth, later the 2nd Duke of Northumberland; Lady Jane (ca. 1748-1828) married George Macartney, later the 1st Earl Macartney and Lady Caroline (before 1763-1813) married The Hon. John Dawson, later the 1st Earl of Portarlington.