A rare George I Britannia standard silver snuff box, London 1716 by James Overing (reg. 7th October 1717)

of plain oval form with stand-away hinge and moulded turned over rim. Fully marked to base, stamped with incuse makers mark OV to inside edge rim.

Length – 7.7 cm / 3 inches

Weight – 51 grams / 1.64 ozt

The extremely rarely encountered maker James Overing (Grimwade p. 314) was assessed for Land Tax on property in Carey Lane from 1704. He was listed in the Turners Company in the 1713 and 1722 London Poll Books. His mark that he registered at Goldsmiths’ Hall in 1717 was at Carey Lane.
Edmund the son of Henry Sibley an innholder of Hempstead, Hertfordshire in 1718 and James the son of Henry Hardy a woollen draper of St Giles, Cripplegate in 1719 both signed to be his apprentice. The Will of James Overing, late goldsmith of St John Zachary parish (of which Carey Lane was part), was granted probate in London in 1730.

So far, another example bearing this mark has not been found by the author.