A FRENCH ENAMELLED GOLD EGYPTOMANIA SNUFF-BOX

Details

A FRENCH ENAMELLED GOLD EGYPTOMANIA SNUFF-BOX
PARIS, 1819-1838
Oval box with lobed outline, the cover enamelled with a flower and fruit still-life on a grey ground, framed by a border enamelled with stylized flowers on a turquoise ground, the interior of the lid centred with a cartouche enamelled with a view of a temple at Luxor also bordered by a turquoise band painted with flowers in translucent champlevé enamel, the sides painted with lobed panels of translucent enamel flowers on an opaque turquoise ground, alternating with cartouches of trophies on a black enamel ground; with wavy flange and plain gold base
81mm. (3¼in.) wide

Lot Essay

Whereas Swiss gold boxes in the Oriental style are relatively common, boxes of French fabrication depicting Oriental subjects are extremely rare. The Parisian goldsmith of the present box must nevertheless have been influenced by the Genevan export boxes.

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