An interesting George II unmarked silver double spice box, circa 1740

Of rectangular form with two hinged lids raised by simple thumbpieces to a central hinge. The left side engraved with a contemporaneous quartered coat of arms within an asymmetrical rocaille cartouche reserved with foliage, the motto below Patriae Infelici Fidelis, the right side engraved with a crest of an arm in armour holding a spear, similarly reserved. The hinge with engraved foliate scroll each side of the knuckles with stylised rosettes.

Length – 7.7 cm / 3.05 inches

Weight – 84 grams / 2.7 ozt

The pair to this spice box (subtle differences in engraving) is illustrated as possibly Irish in Culme, J. (2015). British Silver Boxes 1640-1840, The Lion Collection. Suffolk: Antiques Collector’s Club. p.153 fig. 166.

The Lion example sold Woolley and Wallis, 14 July 2021, lot 774 (£1500 hammer)

The arms are those of Montgomery quartering Eglinton

A pair of mugs, London 1719/20 by Paul de Lamerie is engraved with the arms of Montgomery quartering Eglinton and impaling Percy, with no corresponding marriage identified. One is in the Gilbert Collection at the V&A (LOAN:GILBERT.985-2008), the other in the collection at Colonial Williamsburg (Davis, 1976, cat. no. 58, Object number1954-537).