An oval gold and enamel snuff box, the hinged cover with a border of green enamel flowers and seed pearls framing an enamel miniature of George IV (1762-1830), when Prince Regent and the sides decorated with panels of deep blue œil de perdrix enamel. The miniature bust-length; the Prince Regent wears field marshal’s uniform, miniature ribbons, the Order of the Golden Fleece and the stars of the Orders of the Garter, Holy Spirit, Black Eagle and St Andrew.

The miniature was probably commissioned from Henry Bone (1755-1834) by the Prince and is based on a profile by Sir Thomas Lawrence. The original drawing is in the Royal Collection and is believed to have been done for a medal. The current whereabouts of the bust-length portrait is unknown, but it was developed into a full-length portrait for Lord Charles Stuart for the British Embassy in Vienna, and exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1815. (The date of 1813 on the paper inside the box must be a mis-reading of 1816). George IV liked to give copies of his portrait away as presents, for example to the young Princess Victoria in 1826.

Bone was born in Truro in Cornwall, the son of a woodcarver and cabinet maker, and began his artistic career painting on china for local manufacturers. In about 1779, he moved to London, where he became established as one of the most outstanding enamellists of his day. His children and grandchildren also became miniaturists. He painted designs for lockets, watches and jewellery. He was principally a copyist and his large-scale enamels were based on paintings by Old Masters and leading contemporary artists. He exhibited over 240 items at the Royal Academy between 1781 and 1832, when his eyesight began to fail. He was appointed enamel painter to the future George IV in 1801, before holding the same position to George III from 1809, and later George IV and William IV. Bone could obtain top prices for his work – in 1811 he received 2,200 guineas for his framed Bacchus and Ariadne. He was described by a contemporary as a ‘worthy, kind, liberal and affectionate man’.

A paper enclosed in the box is inscribed in ink: Copy / Written on back of Enamel / HRH the Prince Regent / Painted by Henry Bone RA / Enamel painter in ordinary to / His Majesty & Enamel Painter / to the Prince Regent, after / the original by Sir T. Lawrence RA / London / Nov 1813.

Possibly the enamel listed in the Bone accounts for 20 July 2016: 'H.R.H. The Prince Regent - Oval 2 5/8 x 2 1/8 on Gold - all the Orders- New Picture 45 guineas' (RA GEO 26987)