A Scottish silver-mounted cowrie shell snuff box, the three-quarter hinged cover engraved with anchor and entwined serpent crest for Elly, inscribed ‘Andrew Elly Senr. Beggars Bush’ and dated ‘1842’, struck with maker’s mark ‘JH’ inside lid (possibly for James Home or Hume of Edinburgh), early 19^th century, 7.5cm long.

Literature: An entry in the Edinburgh & Leith County Directory of 1842 gives Andrew Elley, gardener at Beggars Bush.