Some boxes, however, have evidently been the gifts of those who could only claim "friendship" or acquaintance with the recipient, for they bear such sentiments as "A token of my respect," "Accept this as a token of my esteem," and "Esteem the giver." Some appear to have been made for sale as place souvenirs, for they are inscribed "A trifle from Bath," or other town where they had been procured. Battersea portrait placques were made between 1750 and 1760, among the favourite subjects being the then Prince of Wales (afterwards George IV), the Duke of Cumberland, and statesmen, among whom Horace Walpole was evidently one of the most popular.
English enamellers in other places, such as Bilston, attained some fame, but the Battersea works held their own, and not only produced the trinket boxes and other toilet-table appointments referred to, but many useful sundries, such as spirit and wine labels, little trays, and the like. None of these, although beautiful indeed, equalled the French enamels in the delicate miniature paintings and scenes such as those produced by the celebrated French painter, Petitot, who gave much attention to the decoration of exquisite toilet boxes and trinket trays.
FIG. 90.—FINE ALTAR SET OF CLOISONNÉ ENAMELS (CH'IEN LUNG PERIOD).
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