Objects of Virtu

A fine 19th century French two-colour gold cylindrical patch box, the hinged lid finely chased with a central reserve of musical instruments and flowers, the whole with overall dot decoration and with two bands of stiff leaves, the interior of the lid inset with a mirror, 'J.G' mark to rim, diameter 4.1cm.

A George III white metal and tortoiseshell single-draw telescope by Dollond, London, the gilt-tooled red leather internal side with maker's name, diameter 4.8cm.

A Victorian silver vesta case, one side finely enamelled with a portrait of a dog, Birmingham 1888, length 4cm, together with a silver sovereign case, a silver box, a silver chamberstick and a pair of silver wishbone sugar nips, Chester 1903 by Sampson Mordan & Co.

A George III gold fob seal with oval blue glass intaglio of a fouled anchor, inscribed 'Rodney 12 ApL 1782', the surround with motto 'Reliable Desperance', length 2.4cm. Note: Admiral George Brydges Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney (1718-1792) was a British naval officer. He is best known for his commands in the American War of Independence, most famously his victory over the French at the Battle of the Saintes, on the 12th April 1782, forcing the French and Spanish to abandon a planned invasion of Jamaica.

An 18th century silver mounted cowrie shell snuff box of Napoleonic War naval interest, the shell naturalistically formed in the shape of a whale and embellished with an inset red paste eye, the silver hinged lid with later engraved inscription 'Thos Hardy R.N', length 8.9cm. Note: it is quite possible this snuff box was formerly owned by Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, 1st Baronet (1769-1839), a British Royal Navy officer. His illustrious naval career included the French revolutionary wars and the Napoleonic wars, most famously as flag captain to Admiral Lord Nelson, and commanded HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in October 1805. On 21st October Nelson was shot by a French sniper while pacing the quarterdeck with Hardy, and as he lay dying, uttered the famous words 'Kiss me, Hardy'.

An early 19th century pressed brass medallion box, commemorating the Victories of Marquis Wellington, diameter 5.5cm, together with another similar box commemorating the victories of Admiral Lord Nelson, diameter 5.5cm.

A George IV commemorative coronation medallion box, containing printed paper discs showing the 'Chronology of the Sovereigns of England', comprising fourteen double-sided discs and a later reproduction, diameter 4.7cm, together with a George III copper counter box.

A George III gold cased pocket compass with white enamel dial and suspension loop, diameter 3.6cm.

A George III silver cased pocket compass, the white enamel dial inscribed 'Berge, London', London 1802, diameter 5.3cm.

A Portuguese silver reproduction of a 16th century navigational pocket compass, marked 'Leitao & Ir Lisboa, Depositado Sterling', diameter 5.5cm.

A fine George III 2¾ inch terrestrial pocket globe, after Herman Moll, with rectangular cartouche 'A Correct Globe with the new Discoveries', the fishskin case lined with celestial paper gores with cartouche inscribed 'A Correct Globe with Ye New Constelations of Dr. Halley & C', the case with two brass securing hooks.

An Edwardian silver pocket sovereign case, London 1902, another patinated metal sovereign case and two late Victorian plated brass coin holders.

A 20th century 9ct gold cigar cutter with overall machined decoration, marked 'GOFA Patent', length 5.8cm.

An Indian silver gilt pillbox, the hinged lid with an enamelled and gilt overlaid elephant, diameter 3cm.

An early 20th century French silver and blue enamelled lorgnette, length 13.7cm, together with a gilt metal lorgnette and a Victorian gilt metal eyeglass, length 9.2cm.

A mid/late 19th century French gilt metal and opaline glass nécessaire, modelled in the form of an egg raised within a cagework stand, the hinged lid opening to reveal scissors, thimble and needle prick, height 12.5cm.

An early 20th century nickel plated novelty sewing nécessaire, well-modelled as a revolver pistol, the cock unlocking the cylinder, containing a mirror, gilt metal scissors, a thread spool and a hook, length 19cm.

A late Victorian tortoiseshell paperknife with a foliate 9ct gold handle, Birmingham 1893, length 18.7cm.

A late 19th/early 20th century Fabergé style carved hardstone paperknife, the tapered blade with a finely carved rabbit mount with inset pink stone eyes and collar marked '18K GWR', length 16cm (tiny chip to tip of knife).