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Castle-top cases.
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 12:50 am
by 2209patrick
Vinaigrettes, snuff boxes and card cases were sometimes decorated with the image of a castle, manor house or church.
These items are called "Castle-top" wares.
For those of us who don't live in the U.K. identifying these buildings is difficult.
Maybe some of our members can post pictures of castle-top items ?
Top two are Kenilworth Castle and Sir Walter Scott's home Abbotsford House.
Bottom two are the Crystal Palace and St. Anne's Chapel, Edinburgh Castle.
Thanks for any contributions whether you know the name of the building or not.
Pat.
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Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 4:00 pm
by 2209patrick
St. George's Hall, Liverpool and York Minister from the southeast.
St. Paul's Cathedral from the southwest and The Houses of Parliament.
Windsor Castle and Newstead Abbey (home of Lord Byron).
Warwick Castle and another Abbotsford House, Roxburghshire ( home of Sir Walter Scott ).
Sir Walter Scott Memorial in Edinburgh and the Royal Exchange of London.
Kings College Chapel, Cambridge and Westminster Abbey.

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Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 9:48 pm
by 2209patrick
Here are some more Castle-top images.
These buildings I have not been able to identify.
Any help identifying them is greatly appreciated.
A & B
C, D & E
F, G & H

Pat.
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Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2009 11:39 am
by buckler
Castletop "B" looks ratherlike Bucklingham House/ Palace before the back sections were added. Might be worth checking the dates of the various alterations.
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Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2009 11:42 am
by buckler
Castletop "D" could perhaps be the facade of Battle Abbey in East Sussex
Castletop "E" could only be the Royal Pavilion at Brighton !
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Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2009 2:03 pm
by 2209patrick
Thanks for the help Buckler.
The Royal Pavilion looks right.
So does Buckingham Palace.
Not sure about the Battle Abbey though.
Pat.
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Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 5:07 pm
by buckler
Item A could well be Worcester Cathedral, ssen from upstreeam on the R. Avon
If I get all the clues do I get to marry the Princess ?
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Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:48 pm
by 2209patrick
Sorry Buckler, no prizes here.
After checking the internet I think "A" could e the Worcester bridge.
Here's an image I didn't post. Could be of the Worcester Cathedral from the south west.
Thanks for the ideas.
Pat.
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Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 7:38 am
by buckler
Sorry about this but I got confused on A . Worcester Cathedral is on the River Severn. In fact it, like your recent image it has NO spire. No prize so far, but I've got the Princess to give me her phone number.
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Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 7:42 am
by buckler
The Princess has just phoned to suggest Gloucester Cathedral as the latest picture.
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Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 12:31 pm
by MCB
Hello Pat,
I think "C" is Osborne House, Queen Victoria & Prince Albert's bijou summer house on the Isle of Wight.
I think "F" is Eton College, a public school near Windsor (fees are payable to UK public schools; not the same in the USA I seem to remember).
As I wouldn't know what to do with them if I qualify for Princess vouchers please let Buckler have them with my compliments.
Regards,
Mike
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Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 6:57 pm
by 2209patrick
Hello Buckler.
Be sure to thank the Princess.
The last image I posted does look like Gloucester Cathedral.
Hi Mike.
"C" does looks like the Osborne House. Thanks.
Not sure about "F" being Eton College.
Osborne House, Gloucester Cathedral, and the Royal Pavillion at Brighton.
Possibly Worcester Bridge and Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge.

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Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 12:33 am
by silveraussie
hi all i"m new to this forum but have been using this site to research hallmarks for a wile it"s a great site & thanks for all the info you"v put on here.
i picked up an interesting dish this weekend with a manor house/castle on it the maker is William Comyns from london & it was made in 1885 i just spotted this post about castle top items & thought this the best spot to ask if anyone knows were it is or the name of the house/castle.

thanks
silveraussie
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Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 10:22 pm
by 2209patrick
Hello and welcome.
Checked around, but could not identify the building in your picture.
Maybe someone else will help you out.
Pat.
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Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 2:32 am
by silveraussie
just had a close look at castle top picture F & i think it"s the same place as my dish just from a diferent angle.
i"v been doing a lot of research on the net looking for this manor/castle but no luck so far.
silveraussie
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Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 5:04 pm
by admin
Here's an American version, Trinity Church in New York, ca.1850 unmarked, but probably by Leonard & Wilson of Philadelphia

Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 9:30 am
by MCB
Hello Pat & Silver Aussie,
Coincidence put me onto the Haddon Hall Derbyshire web site. Although there's no view exactly like the one on the pieces you have the style of architecture is very similar. Perhaps a direct question to the Hall would, at the least, eliminate the possibility?
Regards,
Mike
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Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 12:39 pm
by admin

Nathaniel Mills 1838 card case showing Windsor Castle and Kenilworth Castle.
Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 4:15 pm
by dognose
Hi,
A slighty unusual one, featuring the Capital building in Washington, presumably made for the American market by Taylor & Perry of Birmingham c.1840.
Trev.
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 7:33 pm
by 2209patrick
Here are two more British examples.
On the left is Christchurch, Oxford.
The right picture shows Blackfriars Bridge viewed from London Bridge with St. Paul's in the background.

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