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silver plated box with writing on it on a white backgroundan antique silver box with writing on it sitting on a white surfacean antique silver box with writing on it sitting on a white surfacePhoto 4/9 du lotan antique silver box with writing on it sitting on a white surfacePhoto 6/9 du lotan antique silver box with ornate designs and writing on ita silver box with writing on it sitting on a white surfacePhoto 9/9 du lot
Premium Maître Guillaume CHEROYAN

238 - A rectangular box in silver and vermeil, with a scalloped ed…
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Estimate €800 - €1,200
Sale commission
Description
A rectangular box in silver and vermeil, with a scalloped edge, richly decorated with foliage; the lid forms a cartouche bearing the inscription in English: ‘Presented to Capt. Ponthier, commander of the Royal French Navy. STEAM SHIP CAMELION. by the Shipping Association of the Port of Dartmouth and the Owners of the ENGLISH SCHOONER MERMAID, as a trifling token of appreciation for his generous conduct in assisting her free of charge into Toulon, when she was completely dismasted off that port on 17 January, 1842.” which we may translate into French as: “ Presented to Captain Ponthier, Commander of the Royal French Navy steamship Camelion, by the Dartmouth Port Shipowners’ Association and the Owners of the ENGLISH SCHOONER MERMAID, as a humble token of gratitude for his generous conduct in graciously assisting her to Toulon, whilst she was completely dismasted off that port on 17 January 1842. ’, England, 19th century, Master Goldsmith Nathaniel MILLS (1746–1843), Dimensions: 2.8 x 9.8 x 7 cm Background: On 17 January 1842, an English merchant schooner named the Mermaid, originating from the port of Dartmouth (Devon, England), found itself caught in a violent storm off the French coast. The vessel sustained heavy damage and was left completely dismasted, adrift, unable to manoeuvre and in grave danger of sinking. French Captain Ponthier, commanding the Royal French Navy’s steam warship Le Caméléon (Steam Ship Camelion), came across the distressed schooner. Instead of leaving it to its fate or demanding substantial salvage fees, Captain Ponthier showed great nobility: he voluntarily and free of charge took the English schooner in tow to bring it safely to shelter in the port of Toulon. The Dartmouth Shipowners’ Association, wishing to honour a commander of the French Royal Navy, commissioned the prestigious workshop of Nathaniel Mills in Birmingham, recognised at the time as the finest maker of silver boxes in the whole of the United Kingdom.
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About the sale PRESTIGIOUS SALE OF FURNITURE AND WORKS OF ART
Auction location
Auction time 10/24/2026 at 10:30 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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