A mid-18th century gold and moss agate snuff box

unmarked, circa 1750 (2)

Footnotes

John Rich (1692–1761) was an important director and theatre manager in 18th century London. He married three times; his first wife, Henrietta Brerewood, on 7th February 1717 in St Clement Danes; she died in 1725. His second wife, Amy, was the mother of seven of his children: two sons and five daughters, including Henrietta, born 2nd January 1726.

John Rich's will is long and complex, dealing mostly with the shares and profits from the theatre; it does not mention any specific possessions. Family history has it that the box was bequeathed to his daughter Henrietta (owner of the Prayer Book included in the lot) and thence by descent through the Wightman and Benson families.

Rich enjoyed the patronage of Frederick, Prince of Wales, later King George III. In August 1740, he organised part of the celebrations at Cliveden to celebrate the Accession of the House of Hanover to the throne of England and the birth of Princess Augusta, '...concluded with several Scenes out of Mr. Rich's Pantomime Entertainment, perform'd by himself, and others of his appointing', see William Cummings, Dr. Arne and Rule, Britannia (London 1912) p.111ff. The prince was a member of Rich's Beefsteak Club. By 1755, he was wealthy enough to be offering the King lavish and unusual presents including an enormous swan barge named Augusta.

Rich is said to be the originator of English pantomime, introducing elaborate scenery and extravagant costumes into his productions. In his day, he was considered the most celebrated comic dancer of the age. Today, he is best remembered for staging 'The Beggar's Opera', the greatest commercial success of the eighteenth century stage, taking on John Gay's opera when it had been turned down by the rival theatre at Drury Lane and from which he is said to have made £9000 in two years, over £1,000,000 today.