RARE 19TH CENTURY FRENCH SOLID SILVER GOLD GILT PICTORIAL ENAMEL SNUFF BOX
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:18753014 | Product: Boxes |
| Age: Pre-1800 | Style: Georgian |
| Pattern: 18th century |
BREATH TAKINGRARE 19TH CENTURY FRENCH SOLID SILVER GOLD GILT PICTORIAL ENAMEL SNUFF BOX950 Silver standardCirca 1840Weight....80.5 grams
This is a Rare Breathtakingly Beautiful very fine quality 19th century French Solid Silver & Gold Gilt Pale Grey - Lilac Guilloche Enamel Pictorial Circular Snuff Box, this stunning box was crafted in France, i would estimate this rare snuff box dates to circa 1840 making it nearly 180 years old, this has been crafted bea...utifully in a higher grade of silver, it is hallmarked for 950 grade of silver, the quality is stunning and the decoration is breath taking, the circular shape pull off top has been crafted in a breath taking pale grey-lilac guilloche enamel ground with the most stunning and beautiful engraved pictorial scene, as you can see within the enamel is a very pretty young lady dressed in 18th century clothes, she is wearing a wonderful long dress nipped in at the waist, she has puffed sleeves and is wearing a beautiful large hat, under her hat she has a mass of curls and a very pretty face, she is standing on tip toes with one hand lifting her dress a little and leaning foward, there is a gentleman wearing an 18th century wig leaning over a rose covered wall, he is kissing her hand gently as though they are secretly meeting, its fabulous, this pictorial scene of a wonderful 18th century courting couple shimmers when moved and tilted in different light, its truly stunning, this in then framed in a wonderful silver gold gilt border with beautiful cast decoration of hearts and foliage. This rare French snuff box has got the most wonderful engine turned decoration, making it sparkle when it catches the light, to the under side you will see even that hasnt been an afterthought, it has wonderful engine turned decoration and then finished in gold gilt, on opening this wonderful Box you will see it still retains traces of its original gilt fish, the inside has not been cleaned as i dont want to rub off any of the original gilt that is left inside, the quality of the craftsmanship is superb, this would have once belonged to a very wealthy 19th Century Lady and sat proudly on the table top ready to be used, this was many many years ago when times were so very different, if this snuff box could talk i can just imagine what fascinating stories it could tell, this snuff box is so very tactile and once held it has the most wonderful feel. This is extremely rare. This will add something very special to any collection, my photos dont do it justice. Please study the photos its so extremely rare. The condition is stunning with some bruising and some dings to the body, but doesnt detract at all from its rare beauty, just mentioned for accuracy. Hallmarks to the side donating 950 silver standard plus export mark and also a hallmark to inside the top which is countermark insect from a Bigorne, (two-horned anvil)
Date...circa 1840Assay...FrenchWeight.....80.5 gramsMeasurements......6.5 cm diameter....3 cm height
Condition, ....as per above
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