Gold snuffbox, with miniature of George IV.

In 1822, Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769–1830), the outstanding master of English portrait painting, made a full-figure portrait of George IV (regent: 1811–1820, ruled: 1820–1830). In the portrait, today preserved at the Wallace Collection in London, the seated ruler wears the insignia of the Order of the Golden Fleece at his neck, and the Order of the Garter on his chest. Several copies were made of this composition, some in enamel paint. Henry Bone (1755–1834), an outstanding master of enamel paint, is the master of the small image on top of this gold box. While the large oil painting by Lawrence presented a realistic image of the then 60-year-old George IV, Bone in this miniature made him look considerably younger, although the miniature was painted in 1828 thus six years after its prototype was painted. The 22-carat golden box is the work of John Northam, who was active in London between 1793 and 1830. One of the short sides of the box shows Poseidon, the god of the sea, while on the other is Amphitrite (wife of Poseidon) seated on the back of a dolphin. Both are in the company of tritons and naiads. On the longer front side of the box, surrounded by allegories of Peace and War, the Order of the Garter and the initials of George IV can be seen. On the back side human and animal figures representing the four continents (Europe, Asia, Africa, and America) are depicted. The coat of arms of George IV seen on the bottom refers to his power. The original owner of the portrait box was Pal Antal Esterhazy (1785–1866). As the ambassador of the Habsburg Empire, he probably received it as a personal gift from the king.