A SWISS OR GERMAN VARI-COLOUR GOLD SNUFF-BOX

A GERMAN TWO-COLOUR GOLD PRESENTATION SNUFF-BOX

BY CHARLES COLIN’S SONS (FL. C. 1815-1870), MARKED, HANAU, CIRCA 1815/18

Details

A GERMAN TWO-COLOUR GOLD PRESENTATION SNUFF-BOX
BY CHARLES COLIN’S SONS (FL. C. 1815-1870), MARKED, HANAU, CIRCA 1815/18
Rectangular box with rounded corners, the cover, sides and base set with panels of engine-turning in a wave and flower pattern within chased foliate borders, with foliate sablé gold pilasters, the inside cover engraved ‘Andenken von seiner Maÿestäet Alexander dem Käÿser aller Reußsen den 12t. December 1818.’

3 3/8 in. (85 mm.) wide
3 oz. (88 gr.)

Provenance

According to the engraved inscription, presented by Tsar Alexander I of Russia (1777-1825) on 12 December 1818.
Anonymous sale; Christie’s, London, 17 November 2009, lot 126.

Brought to you by

Charlotte Young

cyoung@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2730

Lot Essay

Charles Colin was described as médailleur; bijoutier of Hanau, specialising in gold boxes. Upon his death on 29 October 1817, his successful career was continued by his sons, Esaie and Jacob Charles Colin, also described as bijoutiers. Jacob Charles Colin married Jeanne Anne Thérèse Remond (b. 1787), the eldest daughter of the celebrated Swiss goldsmith Jean Georges Remond, in 1811. While Remond is most famous for his work as a gold box maker in Geneva, it is believed that he maintained professional relationships in Hanau, retiring there sometime before 1820.

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