Large South Staffordshire Bilston Yellow Enamel Snuff Box

A very pretty Bilston enamel snuff box of oval shape with a rich lemon yellow ground over-painted with black stars and dots in a diaper pattern over the domed lid and sides. 2 white reserves to the front and back walls and a further large reserve to lid with a dark brown ground are finely painted with roses and floral sprays, each framed with gilded arabesques. c.1790.

It measures 7.3cm (2 7/8") wide, 6cm (2 3/8") deep and 2.8cm (1 1/8") high.

Condition is good overall; there has been a small loss to the enamel at the bottom to the right of the hinge. Some cracking to the wall on the left in front of the site of the loss and to the area of the reserve at the back. At the bottom of this area the enamel has been touched up. A few hairlines otherwise and nice bright colours.