[47] A Rare English Queen Anne Carved Ivory Teetotum Gambling Lottery Ball Each of the twenty four sides incised with the numbers 1 to 24 and dated 1708 beneath an engraved excise crown Early 18th Century / Circa 1708
s i z e : 5 cm dia. – 2 ins dia. p rov e na nc e : From the deceased estate of a Danish Collector Gifted to him in Australia 1970’s By descent Private Danish collection Teetotum balls act somewhat like spinning dice, but have faceted numbered sides so when thrown there is an equal chance of any number turning up which is not the case with dice. Lotteries first began to become an acceptable form of raising money for government funds under Queen Elizabeth I in 1568 – 69. It was started in order to raise funds for urgent repairs to the harbours and fortifications of England then under threat of invasion from the Spanish. Great pains were taken to provoke the people to part with their money and even fortune tellers were consulted about lucky numbers. Lotteries later became established by successive Acts of Parliament and were a popular and lucrative means of increasing government revenue and were regularly conducted, both in London and the country, by appointed contractors. Lotteries were not then as they are today confined to monetary prizes, but embraced jewellery, paintings, tapestries, silver, books and even live deer in Syon Park.
[48] Fine Georgian Boxwood Half Block Model of a British Fourth Rate Two Decker Forty Two Gun Naval Warship with Stern Beakhead and Figure Head Details Late 18th Century
s i z e : 5.5 cm high, 16 cm wide, 3.5 cm deep – 2¼ ins high, 6¼ ins wide, 1½ ins deep / 10 cm high – 4 ins high (with base) p rov e na nc e : Ex Private English collection The art of making ship models can be traced back to many ancient civilisations, but it was not until the 17th century that fairly accurate scale models began to be produced in Europe for use as working three dimensional plans by shipwrights. These models give a unique insight into the naval architecture and ship decorations of their day. The second half of the 18th century was a high point in quality of craftsmanship and accuracy and models were often made as a means to sell a proposed ship to a navy committee or commercial buyer. Sometimes models were made as a souvenir or memento of a famous vessel.