White Agate Box with Inlaid Nephrite

An elegant box made from white Agate with grey striations running through the stone and with inlaid Nephrite decoration to the centre front lip of the base. Gilt metal patented sprung hinge stamped with the makers mark for George Betjemann and Sons, 36 Pentonville Road, London. The business, specialising in box making, was started by the poet Sir John Betjemann’s great grandfather in 1834 and past through the sons until the death of Sir John’s Betjemann’s father, Ernest. Originally used as a cigarette box, circa 1940.

Dimensions: 17 cm/6⅝ inches (length) x 10 cm/4 inches (depth) x 5 cm/2 inches (height)