A JEWELLED FOUR-COLOUR GOLD IMPERIAL PRESENTATION SNUFFBOX, PROBABLY HANAU, CIRCA 1825 | A jewelled four-colour gold imperial presentation snuffbox, probably Hanau, circa 1825

the lid applied with a paste-set cipher of Nicholas I, Emperor of Russia, below an imperial crown within a blue enamel graduated paste frame, surrounded by chased three-colour gold flower sprays on a sablé ground between six further silver collet-set pastes the sides and base patterned with engine-turning within blue enamel borders of stylised tulips and scrolls, the corners with corinthian columns, the lid with an engraved inscription reading: 'Presented by / the Emperor Nicholas / to / Lord Arthur Marcus Cecil Hill, / Secretary to HBM special Embassy: / to St Petersburg. / July 17, 1827 ', maker's mark MM incuse

Overall good condition; small losses to blue enamel rim around the cipher, very minor restoration to the edges of three scrolls on the underside, would benefit from professional cleaning
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This box commemorates the role which Lord Arthur Marcus Cecil Hill (usually known as Lord Marcus Hill) played as secretary to the special embassy sent by Britain on a mission to St. Petersburg to invest Emperor Nicholas I with the insignia of the Order of the Garter. Led by Francis Charles, 3^rd Marquess of Hertford, as chief plenipotentiary, the investiture took place with considerable pomp on 10 July 1827 at Tsarskoye Selo, about 15 miles south of St. Petersburg. Hertford’s suite included Lord Marcus, who bore the Ribband and George, Lord Seymour, the Garter, and several others. A full description of the occasion was published in The London Gazette on Tuesday, 31 July 1827 (pp. 1633-1635). A few days later a less formal notice appeared in the London Press: ‘Letters from Petersburgh to the 18^th of July [1827] inclusive have reached London. It appears that the Marquis of HERTFORD had left the Russian capital with the intention of returning over land. His suite had embarked, and would return by sea. The Marquis had been well received at the Court of the Northern Czar: he had been honoured with some splendid donations. Besides the usual diplomatic snuff-box, he will have to exhibit to his wondering and flattering friends, on his return, some choice specimens of malachite, and some superb columns of jasper, in commemoration of his own mission, and of the magnificent liberality of the Emperor NICHOLAS.’ (The Times, London, Friday, 3 August 1827, p. 2b)