Printed from Woolley & Wallis

Description

A South Staffordshire enamel snuff box of naval interest, c.1780, the oval form painted with a portrait of Admiral Keppel, reserved in a raised scrollwork border on a pale blue ground, the sides with flower sprays, some cracking and restoration to the base, 5.7cm.

Provenance: from the estate of the late Barry Lock.

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.