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A WILLIAM IV OAK 'HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT' SNUFF BOX DATED '1834' of disc form, the lid with a silver plaque, unmarked, inscribed 'Made From Wood found in the Ruins of the Houses of Parliament destroyed by Fire 16th Octr 1834' 10.3cm diameter Provenance 'A Lifetime of Collecting' - The Property of a Gentleman. Catalogue Note The Palace of Westminster, the medieval Royal palace used as the home of the British parliament, was largely destroyed by fire on the 16th October 1834. The blaze was caused by the burning of small wooden tally sticks which had been used as part of the accounting procedures of the Exchequer.