GENEVA, CIRCA 1800, BEARING PRESTIGE MARKS

Details

A SWISS ENAMELLED GOLD SNUFF-BOX
Geneva, circa 1800, bearing prestige marks
Oval box, the cover, base and four side panels engine-turned with a wavy moiré pattern and enamelled in translucent red, the lid centred by an oval enamel miniature finely painted and depicting Achilles holding a bow and seated in the centre, Patroclus in armour to his left, and Briseis to his right, within an enamelled border with gold paillon festoons and green flowers, the translucent red and green enamelled borders of cover and base edged with white enamel, the four translucent red side pilasters with paillon urn and flowerspray inside blue and white enamelled arch
3¼ in. (83 mm.) wide

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 15% on the buyer's premium

Lot Essay

The enamel miniature depicts one of the first scenes from the Iliad during which Achilles retires from the Trojan War in defiance against Agamemnon of the Greek army. He believes Agamemnon to have taken advantage of Briseis, Achilles' captive and love and seen to his right in the miniature. The warrior Patroclus beseeches him to return to fight but his efforts are in vain.

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