Lapidaries could cut agate into wafer-thin panels that had varying degrees of translucency depending upon the opacity and figuring of the stone. When mounted, translucency could be exploited either by laying a metallic foil beneath, which would reflect light, or by painting the underside, to change the apparent colour of the agate – as may be observed on the present snuffbox. Interestingly, the opaque buff colour painted on the underside of the central panel of the lid has flaked to reveal the backing material, a card with the printed text …riage. Goldsmiths hoarded card that could be repurposed for backing or lining their work – witness the Robert Garrard invitation dated 1859 that was used by Hancocks in 1864 when they refurbished the freedom box given by the City of London to General Giuseppe Garibaldi (inventory number 4467.1-2MC670/ДПИ)

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