A FINE CONTINENTAL ENAMELLED GOLD SNUFF-BOX WITH MINIATURE IN A SECRET COMPARTMENT

RUSSIAN OR SWISS, CIRCA 1828/1830, MAKER'S MARK INDISTINCT

Details

A FINE CONTINENTAL ENAMELLED GOLD SNUFF-BOX WITH MINIATURE IN A SECRET COMPARTMENT
Russian or Swiss, circa 1828/1830, maker's mark indistinct
Rectangular polished gold box with rounded corners, all over enamelled with flowers, foliage, birds and butterflies in colourful opaque and translucent champlevé enamel, the cover with secret double-lining opening to reveal an octagonal glazed watercolour miniature purportedly depicting Betty de Rothschild and her two eldest children, within a stylized leaf gold border on a gold panel similarly enamelled, matching enamelled slightly raised thumbpiece
2 7/8 in. (73 mm.) wide

Further details

(SEE P. 2 FOR ENLARGED DETAIL)

Lot Essay

Betty de Rothschild (1805-1886) was the daughter of Salomon von Rothschild. In 1824, she was married to her uncle Baron James Mayer de Rothschild (1792-1868). The curly child with pink bows would depict Charlotte de Rothschild (1825-1890), the eldest child and only daughter of James and Betty, and the baby with blue bows would be Alphonse de Rothschild (1827-1905), their eldest son.

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