Britannia Mourning: Two South Staffordshire enamel patch boxes, early 19th century
Painted with the figure of Britannia draped in black, weeping by a monument to Nelson, inscribed 'Sacred to the memory of Nelson', the second box with encircling inscription 'England mourn and drop a tear the Victory's great but Bought too dear', the bases painted deep blue, with mirrors to the interior lids, 4.8cm and 5.1cm wide (2)

First-mentioned box (bottom of catalogue photo): In good condition, save for two very small chips to the enamel on the lower edge of the base, revealing a little of the copper underneath. There is some typical light wear and fine scratches to the decoration, which otherwise remains well. A few very fine cracks in the enamel are visible near the edge of the mounts and to the interior of the base but none are significant and the box is notably free from any restoration. Some typical minor degradation to silvering of internal mirror.

Second-mentioned box (top of catalogue photo): There are fine cracks visible to the enamel around the edge of the lid, near the mount, affecting the words 'England', 'Victory' and 'Bought too'. There has been some restoration to the edge of the right side of the lid, affecting the words 'tear the' and 'dear'. There is restoration to much of the exterior of the base. Cracks are visible to the interior and two small areas of in-fil at either side of the base. The internal mirror is cracked and the silvering is degraded.