A LOUIS XV GOLD-MOUNTED LACQUER SNUFF-BOX
A LOUIS XV GOLD-MOUNTED LACQUER SNUFF-BOX
A LOUIS XV GOLD-MOUNTED LACQUER SNUFF-BOX
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These lots have been imported from outside the EU … Read more
A LOUIS XV GOLD-MOUNTED LACQUER SNUFF-BOX

BY PIERRE-FRANÇOIS DELAFONS (FL. 1732-1784), MARKED, PARIS, 1742 OR 1744, WITH THE CHARGE AND DECHARGE MARKS OF LOUIS ROBIN 1738-1744

Details
A LOUIS XV GOLD-MOUNTED LACQUER SNUFF-BOX
BY PIERRE-FRANÇOIS DELAFONS (FL. 1732-1784), MARKED, PARIS, 1742 OR 1744, WITH THE CHARGE AND DECHARGE MARKS OF LOUIS ROBIN 1738-1744
rectangular gold-lined box, the cover, sides and base set with panels of Japanese lacquer decorated with gold and silver hiramaki-e, kirikane and nashiji against a black lacquer ground depicting cranes, pines and prunus trees amidst mountains, mounted à cage between wavy reeded mounts
3 3/8 in. (87 mm.) wide
Special notice
These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction.

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David McLachlan
David McLachlan

Lot Essay

The technique of creating lacquer originated in Japan over 6000 years ago and it was a slow and demanding process which required great skill. Some of the finest lacquer had up to thirty separate layers and was confined to painted or raised surfaces of gold on a black or red ground. This type was retained by the Japanese for their own use and examples considered to be inferior in quality were brought to Europe in the 1730s by the Dutch. Japanese lacquer became extremely fashionable at the French Court as early as in the 1730s when large panels were used to decorate items of furniture. These larger panels were cut into smaller sections to fit the dimensions required for use with snuff-boxes and so many scenes on snuff-boxes can appear to be slightly dis-jointed.

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