Commander George Eyre Powell RN Family ArchiveThis section of sale will not start before 10:00am
Lots 1000-1032 A family archive relating to COMMANDER GEORGE EYRE POWELL RN (1790-1855) his ancestors and descendants.
George Eyre Powell was a prominent officer in the Royal Navy his career having links to Napoleon Bonaparte and his sister Queen Caroline of Naples.
It includes his Naval General Service medal with three clasps, gifts from both Napoleon and his sister, a royal correspondence with Edward Duke of Kent (Queen Victoria's father), miniature portraits, silver, jewellery and family records, to be sold in 33 lots.These lots have never previously been on the market having unbroken family provenance to the present vendor.
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Naval General Service medal awarded to Commander George Eyre Powell RN with three clasps Algiers, 6 Jan Boat Service 1813, and 1st and 18 Sept Boat service 1812 inscribed G E Powell Master's Mate. Algiers (1328 issued) for the Bombardment of Algiers 1816. He was on HMS Cordelia Boat Service 1813, HMS Bacchante (21 issued). Capture of five gun-brigs off Otranto Boat service 1812 HMS Bacchante (24 issued). Capture of two merchant vessels off Rovigno, and a number of others, including the French xebec Tisiphone, and two gun-boats.
Historical Note: George Eyre Powell, 1790-1855 was born in County Kildare and joined the Navy in 1806. As a young man he had a period as a prisoner of Napoleon on the Continent escaping with two others and enduring many hardships and dangers during his escape. In January 1817 he joined HMS Heron under Captain Herbert Brown serving at St Helena and Cape Stations during which time he was involved with the prisoner Napoleon Bonaparte. He was also part of the escort for Queen Caroline of Naples (Napoleon's sister), who with her children was guaranteed safety by the British following the fall of Naples (See below lot 1001 for her gift given to him in thanks for the performance of his duties.). A copy of a memorandum of his services (Public record office ref ADM 9/49 193437) is included in this lot. (see fuller biography below with the main family archive) £4000-6000
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Queen Caroline's ring. An early 19th Century diamond quatrefoil ring, designed with four old-cut diamonds and a smaller diamond detail to the centre. Set in silver and gold. Estimated total diamond weight 3.35cts This ring was presented to George Eyre Powell by Queen Caroline of Naples (sister of Napoleon Bonaparte) on 7th June 1815 in thanks for all he did for her during her flight to safety following the capture of Naples by Austria. (The British had agreed to guarantee the safety of the Queen and her children following the King's execution.) There are notes in the archive in the recipient's hand p.20 and 21 (see lot 1032 below) and the hands of other family members, who subsequently owned it. It had been given to Powell's wife shortly after it had been gifted to him. As with all items from the Powell family archive this lot has passed by family descent to the present vendor. £2000-3000
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Early 19th century shagreen box, 17cms x 8cms. While stationed on St Helena on a number of occasions George Eyre Powell met and walked with Napoleon Bonaparte and the archive (lot 1032) p. 10 refers to Longwood, which was Napoleon's residence on St Helena and an occasion when Powell was given a green shagreen writing or penholder". (Copy of the relevant page is included with this lot) Family tradition has it that this was the box referred to. As with all items from the Powell family archive this lot has passed by family descent to the present vendor. £500-800
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Early 19th century watercolour of Verdun. Watercolour "View of Port, Cheussee Bridge at Verdun in France...1810 GEP". 18.5 x 30.5cms. George Eyre Powell was captured by Napoleon's forces and held a prisoner at Verdun. As with all items from the Powell family archive this lot has passed by family descent to the present vendor. £200-300
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Miniature portrait of George Eyre Powell RN in uniform 15cms x 11.5cms in a broad gilt frame, inscribed or reverse Commander Geo. Eyre Powell. Painted, Dublin 1834. As with all items from the Powell family archive this lot has passed by family descent to the present vendor. £500-800
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Miniature portrait, Thomas Wilmshurst b 1778 of Colchester, husband of Ann elder daughter of Joseph Kingdon and Catherrine Hirtzel, his wife and only sister of Catherine the wife of Commander Geo Eyre Powell RN, 8.5cms x 6.5cms £200-300
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Miniature black and white portrait, Lucy, only daughter of Eyre Powell of Great Conel and Lucy Wright his wife: sister of George Eyre Powell RN. She married Isaac Weld of Dublin... 8.5cms x 6.5cms (embossed Reynolds London). As with all items from the Powell family archive this lot has passed by family descent to the present vendor. £100-200
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Ann, elder daughter of Joseph Kingdon born 1786, only sister to Catherine wife of Com Geo Eyre Powell who married Tho Wilmshurst of Colchester and died 1860. In gilt frame with handwritten information verso. 8.5cms x 6.5cms. As with all items from the Powell family archive this lot has passed by family descent to the present vendor. £200-300
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George Eyre Powell RN as midshipman in 1807 on HMS Wizard in the Expedition to Egypt, silhouette with gilt highlights, 12.5cms x 7.5cms handwritten note verso signed George Eyre Evans 1918. As with all items from the Powell family archive this lot has passed by family descent to the present vendor. £100-200
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Miniature oval portrait of "Ophelia Catherine eldest daughter of Geo. Eyre Powell RN and Catherine Kingdon his wife, married in 1856 to David Lewis Evans Professor of Hebrew Presbyterian College Carmarthen Mother of Geo Eyre, David L ?, Catherine Powell and Herbert Evans. died at Carmarthen Feb 1866 buried at George's Meeting Colyton. painted in 1851 in London by Mr Manners 34 Poultry", 6cm x 5cm gilt frame. As with all items from the Powell family archive this lot has passed by family descent to the present vendor. £150-200
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19th century 18ct gold open faced pocket watch marked Twycross of Dublin and 1836, diameter 4cm with key, gross weight 89 grams (back engraved with Powell coat of arms motto and crest) and accompanying 18ct gold watch chain 76 grams £2000-3000
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Edward VII 9ct gold sovereign and half sovereign case, with engraved scroll and foliage decoration, Birmingham 1907 makers mark Rolason Brothers, 31.7 grams. Front engraved with Powell crest and motto. As with all items from the Powell family archive this lot has passed by family descent to the present vendor. £250-400
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Gold locket inset with portrait of a lady, the case stamped 15ct, engraved with Powell crest, 2.5cms. As with all items from the Powell family archive this lot has passed by family descent to the present vendor. £50-80
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Pair of 18ct gold cufflinks engraved with Powell crest and Monogram TVP, 16 grams in original box, retail mark for Frengley Brothers, Dublin. As with all items from the Powell family archive this lot has passed by family descent to the present vendor. £300-500
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Early 19th century unmarked seal, inset with a bloodstone intaglio engraved with the Powell coat of arms. There is an impression of this seal in red wax in the archive scrap book p1 with a handwritten note that this was the seal used by George Eyre Powell RN after his marriage. As with all items from the Powell family archive this lot has passed by family descent to the present vendor. £200-300
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Continental yellow metal lady's open faced pocket watch, gross weight 36 grams, note in later outer case 'Mothers watch JV Powell' £200-300
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19th century gold signet ring inset with intaglio of the Powell crest. As with all items from the Powell family archive this lot has passed by family descent to the present vendor. £80-120
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18th century oval portrait miniature of a gentleman on ivory, in glass and yellow metal case with handwritten note verso, 40mm by 33mm. The note is not fully visible and we have been unable to open the case, we believe that it says "father of Mrs W…" possibly Weld. As with all items from the Powell family archive this lot has passed by family descent to the present vendor. £200-300
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Late 18th century oval portrait miniature on ivory, 20mm by 10mm inset into an unmarked gold ring. As with all items from the Powell family archive this lot has passed by family descent to the present vendor. £150-250
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19th century monochrome oval portrait miniature on ivory set in a glass and yellow metal pendant/brooch, 35mm by 30mm, note verso Eyre Evans Powell. As with all items from the Powell family archive this lot has passed by family descent to the present vendor. £150-250
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19th century gold signet ring inset with bloodstone intaglio with Powell crest. As with all items from the Powell family archive this lot has passed by family descent to the present vendor. £200-300
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Four 19th century seals: Gilt metal seal inset with octagonal red stone engraved in intaglio. Catharine on page 92 in the main archive is a wax impression of this seal with an inscription "used by Catharine Dashwood and later by her daughter Catherine". 19th century bronze seal with intaglio engraving with the image of the ship "The Royal George", 19th century bronze seal engraved with Powell crest and monogram, 19th century yellow metal seal inset with an oval white stone engraved Eyre. As with all items from the Powell family archive this lot has passed by family descent to the present vendor. £60-100
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George III/William IV silver Old English pattern cutlery, comprising three tablespoons, two sauce ladles, six dessert spoons and seven teaspoons, various dates and marks, earliest 1796, latest 1823, marked with the initials 'GEP'?, sauce ladles with different initials, 21.5oz, 668g, and a small silver cigarette case with Powell crest. As with all items from the Powell family archive this lot has passed by family descent to the present vendor. £200-300
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William IV/Victorian Irish silver fiddle pattern cutlery, comprising three tablespoons (two with raised sword in hand crest), six silver plated dinner forks, six dessert forks 1884/5, six teaspoons 1834/44, engraved with the Powell crest, weighable silver 22oz, 684g. As with all items from the Powell family archive this lot has passed by family descent to the present vendor. £200-300
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Set of twenty-four George V silver and mother of pearl handled fruit knives and forks, by James Dixon & Sons Ltd., Sheffield, 1912, in fitted oak case, Powell crest to handles. As with all items from the Powell family archive this lot has passed by family descent to the present vendor. £300-500
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Set of twenty-four Victorian silver and ivory handled fish knives and forks with servers, by James Dixon & Sons Ltd., Sheffield 1895, in fitted oak case, with Powell crest. As with all items from the Powell family archive this lot has passed by family descent to the present vendor. £300-500
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Pair of George III Irish silver card trays with moulded serpentine rims on three scroll feet, maker's mark rubbed, Dublin, no date letter, engraved with the Powell crest, 20.5oz, 637g, 16.5cm diameter. As with all items from the Powell family archive this lot has passed by family descent to the present vendor. £300-500
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19th century Irish silver oval snuffer tray with lobed rim, maker's mark rubbed, and an Irish silver cream jug with 'S' scroll handle on three hoof feet, marks rubbed, both engraved with the Powell crest, 10oz, 311g. As with all items from the Powell family archive this lot has passed by family descent to the present vendor. £150-250
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George III silver vinaigrette in the form of a case, by J Lawrence & Co., Birmingham, 1816, engraved with crest (a stag's head), 0.4oz, 12g. As with all items from the Powell family archive this lot has passed by family descent to the present vendor. £150-250
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Royal correspondence. A collection 12 hand written letters from Prince Edward, Duke of Kent the fourth son of George III and father of Queen Victoria to Captain Conran who was Groom to the bedchamber in the Duke's household. They are signed Edward by the Prince, and are mostly from Kensington Palace. It is not known what relationship if any Conran had with the Powell family. Included in the lot are a small collection of other contemporary letters. As with all items from the Powell family archive this lot has passed by family descent to the present vendor. £500-1000
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A 19th century seal with turned wood handle with the Powell crest (a rampant lion). As with all items from the Powell family archive this lot has passed by family descent to the present vendor. £80-120
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A mahogany box made by George Eyre Powell with a note inside the hinged cover that it was made for his sister Lucy Eyre Powell (Weld), 44cms (mentioned in the family archive). A gavel sound block 19cms diam. Hand-written label on reverse turned on his lathe at Colyton Devon circa 1850 by Captain Geo. Eyre Powell RN and in 1925 given by his oldest grandson Geo. Eyre Evans to Thos Geo Eyre Powell, Dublin. Carved Powell coat of arms with crest and motto "Omnia vincit amor" (Love conquers all). Small turned wood box containing three seal impressions in wax. As with all items from the Powell family archive this lot has passed by family descent to the present vendor. £150-250
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A family archive relating to COMMANDER GEORGE EYRE POWELL RN (1790-1855) his ancestors and descendants, contained in a large scrapbook. On page 1 of the book there are personal details including a facsimile of a portrait, a wax impression of his seal and locks of his hair. On page 2 there is a published obituary and on page 3 a pencil sketch of HMS Heron on which he served from 18/1/1817 to October 1822. He was on board when Napoleon died at St Helena and sailed with her when she took news of his death to England. The album also contains a facsimile after Ibbetson of a sketch of Napoleon. Other details of the family include his Irish forebears and descendants. Other family names connected to the Powells include Kingdon (GEP's wife), Evans, Doidge, and Weld. The archive continues in to the early years of the 20th Century. GEP moved to Colyton Devon in the 1820's and had very close connections with George Meeting (Unitarian). The memorial stone to George Eyre Powell and his wife were in the building and there is a photograph of it in the archive. There is also a small collection of letters documents and other papers including: Several 19th century copy wills. 1704 sealed indenture from the Earl of Limerick and other documents. 19th century passport document Eyre Powell 1861 and another similar. Cronebane Yeomanry document issued to Eyre Powell 1827. 1772 Powell family indenture. Eyre Evans Powell to Ann Eyre Collection of 19th and early 20th century family documents and original letters. A small collection of 19th century letters stamps and envelopes including a signed photograph of Tennyson, a mid 19th century valentine to Miss Wolfe ? in its original stamped envelope, and a forged early 19th century guinea note purporting to be Bank of Ireland but stamped forgery with a letter from the Bank dated 18 Sept 1812 confirming this. Books include: Book of Common Prayer 1741 published Oxford British curiosities in art and nature, 1728 George Eyre Evans, Colytonia: a chapter in the history of Devon. signed copy, with inscription Thomas M Powell from Annie M Powell. Hand written cash book 1836-1858. BIOGRAPHY: A Naval Biographical Dictionary (1849) by William Richard O'Byrne. George Eyre Powell, born in 1790, is fifth son of the late Eyre Powell, Esq., of Great Connel, co. Kildare. Two of his brothers fell in the service of their country. This officer entered the Navy, 19 Jan. 1806, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Wizard sloop, of 16 guns and 95 men, Capts. Edm. Palmer and Abel Ferris. Attaining soon the rating of Midshipman, he served in that capacity in the expedition to Egypt in 1807. A wound he received in the course of the same year at the cutting-out of a vessel from under the protection of a martello tower on the coast of Calabria had the effect of procuring him a grant from the Patriotic Fund. He subsequently, by jumping overboard, proved of material assistance in saving the life of the Captain's coxswain, a man named Wm. Johnstone, who had been upset in the jolly-boat; and in May, 1808, he was on board the Wizard when she fell in with, chased for 88 hours, and, after having run a distance of 369 miles, and once beaten her opponent in an action of one hour and a half, compelled the French brig-corvette Le Requin, of 18 guns and 110 men, to seek refuge in the neutral port of Tunis. Removing in the following June to the Amphion 32, Capt. Wm. Hoste, he was placed a short time afterwards in command of a tender, with the rating of Master's Mate, and detached on a cruize in the Adriatic, where he succeeded in capturing many of the enemy's vessels. In March, 1809, he was sent in charge of a heavily-laden prize, accompanied by another one intrusted to the care of the present Commander Henry Browne Mason, to Malta, for the purpose of obtaining stores for the use of the Amphion. At day-break on the 6th, observing the approach of two privateers (the one carrying a long 22-pounder in the bow, a carronade in the stern, and 38 men, and the other a 22-pounder in the bow and 28 men), Mr. Powell, concentrating the force of the two prizes on board his own, made all the opposition that could be expected from 2 one-pounder swivels and 6 muskets in the hands of 14 men. The enemy at length boarded on each quarter; and the British, having no alternative, surrendered. Mr. Powell, with his companions, was carried to Zara, thence taken to Ancona, and ultimately marched across the Alps to Briançon and Verdun. Escaping, in the autumn of 1810, with two other Midshipmen, Messrs. Burbidge and Thomas, he traversed Holland under great privations, and on reaching its shores embarked in a fishing-boat, in which he had the good fortune to be picked up by the Idas cutter, Lieut.-Commander Duncan. In that vessel, after he had been conveyed on board the Christian VII, flagship of Sir Edw. Pellew in the North Sea, and been by him highly complimented, he was sent to England. Reporting himself, on his arrival, at the Admiralty, he was at once ordered to join the Thisbe 28, Capt. Wm. Rogers, guard-ship at Woolwich. Soon after this, while absent on leave, he was attacked by the Walcheren fever, and for several weeks incapacitated from exertion. On his return to the Thisbe he was removed, in Dec. 1810, to the Primrose 18, Capt. Chas. Geo. Rodney Phillott, under whom we find him, during the next 12 months, employed in escorting troops to Lisbon, protecting the trade to Quebec, and cruizing off Flushing. Rejoining Capt. Hoste at the end of that period as Master's Mate on board the Bacchante 38, he accompanied him a second time to the Adriatic, and again acted a part in more than one animated scene. On the night of 31 Aug. 1812, receiving charge of the Bacchante's launch, he served with a detachment of boats under the command of Lieut. Donat Henchy O'Brien, and assisted in cutting out from the port of Lema seven vessels laden with ship-timber for the Venetian Government, together with La Tisiphone French national xebec of 1 six-pounder, 2 three-pounders, and 28 men; one gun-boat with a nine-pounder, 2 three-pounders, and 24 men; and another of 1 nine-pounder and 20 men, intended for the protection of the trade on the coast of Istria from Pola to Trieste. On 6 Jan. 1813 Mr. Powell, with the same launch under his orders, united in a successful attack made by the boats of the Bacchante and Weasel sloop on five of the enemy's gun-vessels in the neighbourhood of Otranto. While in command, previously to the latter affair, of the above-named Tisiphone, which had been converted into a tender and named the Amphion, he had fallen in, 2 Sept. 1812, with a convoy of 11 sail under the escort of two gun-boats; one of which, carrying 1 long 28-pounder in the bow, 1 22-pounder in the stern, together with 6 brass swivels and 38 men, he had succeeded, although with but 1 Midshipman, 13 seamen, and 5 marines on board, in driving on the rocks, after a running action of 35 minutes, in so shattered a condition that she soon went down. The other gun-boat was driven off the field. As a reward for his frequently distinguished conduct Mr. Powell was made Lieutenant, 22 Jan. 1813, into the Tremendous 74, Capt. Robt. Campbell. While in that ship he assisted at the reduction of the Castle of Trieste, and commanded a battery and a division of seamen at the taking of Rovigno, and in other operations on the coast of Istria. In charge of the flotilla employed in co-operation with the Austrians under Marshal Belgrade, he ascended the Po as far as the river Mincio, and aided at the blockade of Mantua, displaying in his exertions so much zeal, alacrity, and perseverance, that he elicited the thanks of the Marshal, and induced the late Sir Chas. Rowley, then commanding the Eagle 74, to mention him in a very warm manner in his despatches to Rear-Admiral Thos. Fras. Fremantel, the chief naval authority in the Adriatic. On the restoration of Naples to its ancient sovereign, and the surrender to Capt. Campbell of the shipping and arsenal, Mr. Powell was sent on shore to act as Commissioner, and remained there until the arrival of Lord Exmouth. He then escorted the ex-Queen to Trieste, and was by her presented with a valuable diamond ring. On the paying off of the Tremendous he was appointed, 29 Nov. 1815, Senior of the Cordelia 10, Capts. Wm. Sargent and Wm. Popham, under the former of whom he took part in the bombardment of Algiers, 27 Aug. 1816. He served next, from 18 Jan. 1817 until Oct. 1822, on the Home, St. Helena, and Cape stations, as First-Lieutenant in the Heron 18, Capts. Herbert Brace Powell and Job Hanmer, and was on board that vessel when she brought home the despatches announcing the death of Napoleon Buonaparte. He returned from the Cape of Good Hope with Capt. Hanmer, in the Leander 60, in Jan. 1823, from which period he remained on half-pay until appointed, 4 Feb. 1840, First of the Victory 104, Capts. Fras. Erskine Loch and Wm. Wilmott Henderson, ordinary guard-ship at Portsmouth. He attained his present rank 23 Nov. 1841. Commander Powell married Catherine, youngest daughter of the late Joseph Kingdon, Esq., Comptroller of the Customs for Exeter, and sister of Wm. Page Kingdon, Esq., late Mayor of Exeter, by whom he has had issue seven children. A large archive of family documents is held by the National Library of Wales, Aberyswyth. Reference GB 0210 MSEYRE £500-800
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Late 19th century gilt bronze casting of a woman in formal dress riding side saddle. 23cm High £300-500
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Bronze of an athlete in classical form on plinth base, 56cm £300-500
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Etienne-Hippolyte Maindron (1801-1884) bronze figure of a French soldier, signed Maindron and with the date 1793. 31.5cm £300-500
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Charles Octave Levy, "Salome", patinated bronze, signed on the base and with a plaque on the front, Height 83cm. £2000-3000
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Cold painted Bronze nymph and satyr. 9cm high £40-60
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Pierre Jean David d'Angers, Philopoemen, Hurt, Pulling out a spear from his thigh, Bronze with Brown Patina, Inscribed David D'angers 1837, 48cm on marble plinth with presentation plaque (Presented to the Sergeants 18th Hussars by Capt M S Wellby on promotion 25th April 1895) by family history this was then used as a prize for pig sticking. £2500-3500
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Early 20th century ivory box on ball feet, 9cm wide and a note pad with silver inlaid decoration, with pencil. PLEASE NOTE: THIS ITEM CONTAINS OR IS MADE OF IVORY. Buyers must be aware that regulations of several countries, including USA, prohibit the import of ivory, or any goods containing ivory. Ewbank's advise prospective purchasers who intend to ship this lot to another country that they must familiarise themselves with the relevant import/export regulations prior to bidding. They are responsible for their shipping arrangements and the onus is therefore on them to organise their own shipping. £80-120
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Pair of 19th century lacquered bottle stands diameter 14cm £60-100
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Geo. Ingram, embossed plaque depicting a semi-nude classically draped figure amidst flowers, titled "Aurora", impressed signature and dated 1932 lower right, in copper frame with dates 1909-1932 and decorated with leaves and foliage, 24.5cm x 17cm overall £40-60
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Early 20th century ivory mounted notebook/wallet with floral carved cartouche, and a pair of mother of pearl and gilt metal opera glasses £60-100
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Continental walnut folding mirror with inlaid figural decoration set in an oval panel, 23cm x 16.5cm £50-80
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Chinese ivory card case carved with figures on a terrace, 8.5 x 4.5cm £150-250
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Tortoiseshell and silver mounted card case, 10cm x 8cm £60-80
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Tortoiseshell and mother of pearl card case decorated with rose, shamrock and thistle, 10cm x 7cm £40-60
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Mother of pearl card case carved with a woman watering her garden, 9.5 x 6.5cm £100-150
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Tortoiseshell and silver inlaid card case, 10.5 x 7.5cm £40-60
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Papier Mâché card case decorated in gilt and with mother of pearl flowers. 11 x 7.5cm £40-60
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