Lot Essay
The ivory tablet inside the grey-green laquer carnet-de-bal is inscribed in pencil in English and French, probably by Georgiana Poyntz, Countess Spencer (1737-1814) during her sojourn in Paris.
.jpg?w=1)
18TH CENTURY
Details
A GROUP OF OBJECTS OF VERTU
18TH CENTURY
Comprising a French gold-mounted grey-green laquer carnet-de-bal, the cover inscribed 'SOUVENIR' and 'D'AMITIE', chased gold mounts marked Paris, with the charge and discharge marks of Julien Alaterre, 1768-1774, makers mark and date letter indistinct, containing a four-leaf ivory tablet and gold-capped pencil, polished gold push-piece; together with, three rectangular gold-mounted ivory carnets-de-bal, probably English circa 1770, one set with enamel-bordered oval plaque with gold initial 'S' surmounted with an earl's coronet on obverse, a similarly bordered oval plaque containing plaited hair on reverse, the cover applied with gold plaques inscribed 'Souvenir' and 'Cheri', apparently unmarked chased gold mounts, containing a five-leaf ivory tablet, polished gold push-piece; another, set with pierced gold-bordered oval glazed plaque with gold monogram on reverse, glazed plaque on obverse, the cover applied with pierced gold inscription 'SOUVENIR' and 'D'AMITIE' within pierced reeded gold borders with foliate garlands, apparently unmarked chased gold mounts, containing a three-leaf ivory tablet, polished gold push-piece; another, with polished gold mounts, containing a seven-leaf ivory tablet and pencil, polished gold push-piece; together with, a gold-mounted ivory eye glass, probably English circa 1770/1780, apparently unmarked gold mounts chased with anthemium pattern in green gold, together with, a gold-mounted navette-shaped patch-box or toothpick case, probably English circa 1770/1780, the cover and base set with glazed panels containing hairwork, the apparently unmarked gold mounts chased with palm leaf and vitruvian scroll patterns in green gold, polished gold-lined interior, together with, a gold-mounted hardstone paper knife, probably English, early 18th Century, grey and brown agate handle enclosed within with pierced gold cagework decorated with hunting scene and rocaille, the base with gold rosette, silver-gilt blade
2¾in. (70mm.) to 6 5/8in. (170mm.) (7)
18TH CENTURY
Comprising a French gold-mounted grey-green laquer carnet-de-bal, the cover inscribed 'SOUVENIR' and 'D'AMITIE', chased gold mounts marked Paris, with the charge and discharge marks of Julien Alaterre, 1768-1774, makers mark and date letter indistinct, containing a four-leaf ivory tablet and gold-capped pencil, polished gold push-piece; together with, three rectangular gold-mounted ivory carnets-de-bal, probably English circa 1770, one set with enamel-bordered oval plaque with gold initial 'S' surmounted with an earl's coronet on obverse, a similarly bordered oval plaque containing plaited hair on reverse, the cover applied with gold plaques inscribed 'Souvenir' and 'Cheri', apparently unmarked chased gold mounts, containing a five-leaf ivory tablet, polished gold push-piece; another, set with pierced gold-bordered oval glazed plaque with gold monogram on reverse, glazed plaque on obverse, the cover applied with pierced gold inscription 'SOUVENIR' and 'D'AMITIE' within pierced reeded gold borders with foliate garlands, apparently unmarked chased gold mounts, containing a three-leaf ivory tablet, polished gold push-piece; another, with polished gold mounts, containing a seven-leaf ivory tablet and pencil, polished gold push-piece; together with, a gold-mounted ivory eye glass, probably English circa 1770/1780, apparently unmarked gold mounts chased with anthemium pattern in green gold, together with, a gold-mounted navette-shaped patch-box or toothpick case, probably English circa 1770/1780, the cover and base set with glazed panels containing hairwork, the apparently unmarked gold mounts chased with palm leaf and vitruvian scroll patterns in green gold, polished gold-lined interior, together with, a gold-mounted hardstone paper knife, probably English, early 18th Century, grey and brown agate handle enclosed within with pierced gold cagework decorated with hunting scene and rocaille, the base with gold rosette, silver-gilt blade
2¾in. (70mm.) to 6 5/8in. (170mm.) (7)
Provenance
The green-grey lacquer carnet-de-bal: Georgiana Poyntz, Countess Spencer (1737-1814), by whom used in Paris, according to the 7th Earl's inventory.
Literature
Albert Edward John, 7th Earl Spencer (1892-1975), Catalogue of Snuff Boxes at Althorp, 1937, nos. 169, 170, 171
Special notice
Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.
Please note Payments and Collections will be unavailable on Monday 12th July 2010 due to a major update to the Client Accounting IT system.
For further details please call +44 (0) 20 7839 9060 or e-mail info@christies.com
If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.