Alexandra (1844–1925), eldest daughter of Christian IX, King of Denmark (1818–1906), and his consort, Louise, Princess of Hesse-Cassel (1817–1898), married in 1863 Albert, Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Emperor of India (1841–1910). From the time of her marriage Alexandra was held in esteem by the British public, who witnessed the public duties and charity work she undertook. Queen Victoria noted that: ‘She opens bazaars, attends concerts, visits hospitals in my place … she not only never complains, but  endeavours to prove that she has enjoyed what to another would be a tiresome duty’. Dignified in public, she was affectionate and convivial in private, and doted on by her children. The partnership of silver manufacturers James Samuel Bell and Louis Willmott of Berners Mews, Oxford Street, London, lasted from 1894 to 1906. Examples of their work, retailed by Carrington & Co., entered the British Royal Collection, among them a crown-shaped silver and enamel photograph frame made at the time of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897. Silver cigarette cases, set with the queen’s cipher, were also used for royal presentation. The present snuffbox, although struck with their mark, is of foreign manufacture, as indicated by the import mark for 9 carat gold. It may be compared with another silver-gilt box of the same distinct outline, struck with their mark and set with the crowned cipher of King Edward VII, formerly in the collection of Molly de Balkany. This box is dated one year earlier than the present example.

minimize...