An extremely rare Topographical/Castle top Snuff Box, Edinburgh 1822 by John Caw. 80mmX50mmX20mm. 4.5ozs. Fully hallmarked on the interior base.
Showing Calton Hill in high relief. Calton Hill is situated at the east end of Princess Street, Edinburgh. Buildings from the left: Observatory House(1776), Wm Playfair's City Observatory(1818), Nelson's Tower(1816).
Nelson's Tower was built to commemorate Nelson's victory at the battle of the Nile 1805. It resembles an upturned telescope and also serves as a time check. It was linked to the Observatory and to synchronise with the 1 o'clock gun from the Castle a large white ball is raised at the top of the Tower and dropped as the gun goes off. This allowed shipping in the Port of Leith and the Forth, that were out of earshot of the gun, to have a time check. It is still in operation. Shortly after the date of this box the skyline of Calton Hill changed with the building of the "Parthenon"(1822-1826), Dugald Stewart Memorial(1831), the City Dome(1895) and at the foot of the hill the Royal High School(1829). The view shown on this box is totally consistent with the date of the box.
John Caw was apprenticed to William Cunningham and The Assay Office day books show that Caw presented 3 snuff boxes for assay in 1821/22. So it is unlikely that this view was produced in any quantity and may well be a one off. I have been unable to find a reference to any other known Scottish 19th century Castle top.
It is possible that this box was produced to commemorate the visit of King George 1V to Edinburgh in 1822.
It is of academic interest that this box pre-dates the first Birmingham made Castle top box by around 7 years.

On the middle front side of the box there is a small bruise which has been left as it is by the seam of the box.

PRICE : SOLD