Gold rectangular and enamel royal presentation snuffbox, with enamelled hinged lid with a colorful bouquet of flowers on translucent pale pink background, surrounded by chased scrolling foliage and flowers on matte gold background, the sides and bottom are decorated with champlevé blue enamel floral patterns, the presentation inscription in engine-turned cartouche is on the bottom center. The inscription reads: "Ricordo del Principe UMBERTO di Savoia Spezia 1853." The interior surface is engraved: "Mary E.T. Peirce, March 2, 1871."

Prince Umberto was the son of Vittorio Emanuele II, at this point King of Piedmont, Savoy, and Sardinia, and later King of Italy. Born in 1844, Umberto succeeded his father in 1878 and was assassinated in 1900.

minimize...