Octagonal box with cipher of John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll

James Fraillon

1716 · Gilded silver · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

This early Georgian octagonal silver-gilt toilet box was made by the Huguenot silversmith James Fraillon (active 1706-1727/28) and engraved with an elaborate cipher: a double 'JA', which stands for John Argyll, i.e. John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll (1680-1743) a highly significant military commander who fought French in the War of the Spanish Succession and the Jacobites at the Battle of Sheriffmuir.

Artist

James Fraillon

Date

1716

Medium

Gilded silver

Culture

British, London

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Bequest of Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, 2019