Octagonal box with arms of Henry Somerset-Scudamore, 3rd Duke of Beaufort (1707–1745)

Art Historical Context

This exquisite octagonal box, crafted in 1729 by London silversmiths John White and Charles Gardiner, was made for Henry Somerset-Scudamore, 3rd Duke of Beaufort. Measuring just under three inches high, the gilded silver container bears the Duke’s heraldic arms, reflecting the personal luxury items favored by British nobility during the early Georgian period. Its compact size and refined form suggest it served as a practical yet prestigious accessory, perhaps for snuff or small valuables. The use of gilded silver highlights the technical skill of London metalworkers, who combined functional design with elaborate surface decoration. The octagonal shape provides both stability and visual interest, while the gilding adds a warm, luminous finish typical of high-status silverwork. Such pieces were often commissioned to display family lineage and status through engraved heraldry. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art through the bequest of Mrs. Charles Wrightsman in 2019, this object offers a tangible connection to 18th-century British aristocratic life and the thriving silver trade centered in London.

About the Artist

John White|Charles Gardiner (American) · 1856 –1915

American, Allegheny, Pennsylvania 1856–1915 New York