Object Description
This superb and very rare Charles I silver counter box and gaming counters was made C1620 and measures 1 1/8 inches tall by 1 3/16 inches in dia across the top and 1 1/8 inches across the base. It is beautifully engraved to the sides with four various battle colours in panels (very similar to one in the Albert collection but that had 3 panels) and to the underneath it has a cherub sitting on a drum below a tree holding a tube in one hand and a shell in the other and there is a skull to the side of him on a wall and an inscription omina vanitas qu lits around the sides, the pull off lid itself depicts a pierced out King Charles I inside a beaded border with possibly a bow and quiver to one side. There are 15 silver counters to the inside all engraved with different monarchs through the ages with their coats of arms to the reverse sides – there is even engraving to the lid flange of rabbits and hares amongst scrolling foliage and flower heads – a most wonderful box in very good condition and a very rare find.