I found this hand-engraved snuff box at Brimfield along with the "Modern Prophecy" one with early vision of a flying machine I listed last week, and I know they came from the same collection. This one, titled "The Last Patch," late 18th/early 19th c. British I believe, I presume was made as a momento mori, perhaps during wartime, marking the passing of a JK...although i suppose it could be satirical, not really suggesting that this was the last patch at all, i.e. "Just Kidding!"
I do really love the bittersweetness of the phrase itself, with "patch" being another word for snuff, and especially the R.I.P under the cross of the grave, perched atop a gently sloping hill. Very tenderly done, and still honoring some JK more than 200 years later.
2 1/8" x 2 1/8" x 3/4" and in very good antique condition.
