About this lot

Description

probably by Jean-Louis Leferre (active 1803-1822), the rectangular black tortoiseshell box with piano hinged friction fitting cover with gold thumbpiece, decorated with an oval miniature, workshop of Jean Petitot: "Portrait of Louis XIV", dressed in armour with a blue shoulder sash, within a glazed octagonal frame in gold repoussé, bordered with a line of blue enamel, the interior of rose gold with Paris mark, (cockerel and '3' in vertical hexagon - Paris mark for third standard gold, 1809–19) duty mark (lion's head in circle - excise mark for gold, Paris,1809–19), maker's mark (J.L, a head of Mercury above, a bird below, in vertical lozenge) and another unidentifiable mark (Dimensions: h: 2cm w: 8.50cm d: 4.50cm )

(h: 2cm w: 8.50cm d: 4.50cm )

Footnote: Other notes: In eighteenth and early nineteenth century Europe, Paris led the way in the production of high-quality luxury goods and Parisian goldsmiths were famous for producing a wide range of small, personal articles. Gold snuffboxes and boxes decorated with portrait miniatures were prized and frequently given as royal gifts, often to ambassadors or members of the Court in lieu of cash payments for their services. Coveted and admired, these boxes were produced from a variety of materials. The best quality boxes often made use of gold and were embellished with diamonds, enamelled decoration, lacquer and other luxurious materials, as in this example.

Back to lot listings