A LOUIS XVI GOLD AND ENAMEL SNUFF BOX

Details
A LOUIS XVI GOLD AND ENAMEL SNUFF BOX
MAKER'S MARK OF JOSEPH-ETIENNE BLERZY, PARIS, 1784

Oval, the base, sides and hinged cover with panels of "goldstone" translucent red enamel on a moire ground within chased paterae and chased ropetwist borders, the cover set with an oval plaque depicting a romantic scene of parting lovers, marked on interior base, side and cover; struck with the charge and discharge of Henri Clavel, numbered on the flange 48--3¼in.(8.2cm.) long

Lot Essay

Many boxes by Blerzy are numbered on the bezel like the present example; Charles Truman has commented: "The significance of these numbers cannot be established, since they do not appear to relate specifically to the dates of the warden's marks also struck on the boxes" (The Gilbert Collection of Gold Boxes, 1991, p. 100).