Post Medieval Silver Snuff Box Set with Agate Intaglio of Saint Jerome

Discoid with ribbed border and central raised pellet, motif of a winged centaur holding a square shield and a staff(?), foliage motif to the background; pierced three times to the rim. 153 grams, 10.1 cm



From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.

This version of a centaur was known as ‘kitovras’, an old Russian version of the word ‘kentauros’. He is typically portrayed with the body of a horse and the torso and head of a man, often featuring prominent wings and wearing armour. Kitovras is best known from a legend, ‘The Tale of Solomon and Kitovras’, in which he is tricked into building the temple for King Solomon. While held in captivity, Kitovras tells Solomon how to obtain the stone needed to build the temple and stays with him through its completion. When Solomon doubts Kitovras’ strength, Kitovras throws him to the edge of the Promised Land, but the king eventually returns and takes back the throne.

Formed from a round-section shaft twisted to the centre, an oval bezel with a wide rim and ornate letters 'EEN' under plano-convex crystal in profile; maker's mark 'JB' to the underside, for John Brogden. 7.04 grams, 96 mm



Private collection, Europe. Acquired on the English art market.

Discoid in plan with lip to underside, central low-relief motif of a laureate and draped Roman-style bust with a nimbate lion of St. Mark, within a band inscribed 'TERIACA F ALLA TESTA DORO IN VENET'; all within outer band containing laurel wreath. 31 grams, 45 mm



From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.

Theriaca or ‘Venice treacle’ was a medicinal compound used since the time of Mithradates VI of Pontus as an antidote against any poisonous bite.