Lot 307
307
A SWISS VARI-COLOUR GOLD SNUFF-BOX SET WITH AN ENAMEL PLAQUE
A SWISS VARI-COLOUR GOLD SNUFF-BOX SET WITH AN ENAMEL PLAQUE

GENEVA, CIRCA 1800, STAMPED 18 K, THE INTERIOR BASE ENGRAVED H-J. P.

Details
A SWISS VARI-COLOUR GOLD SNUFF-BOX SET WITH AN ENAMEL PLAQUE
GENEVA, CIRCA 1800, STAMPED 18 K, THE INTERIOR BASE ENGRAVED H-J. P.
rectangular box with canted corners, the cover centred with a circular enamel plaque depicting Odysseus discovering Achilles dressed as a girl, within a sablé gold border applied and chased with foliage, the sides and base set with panels of engine-turning within chased foliate borders, the base centred with a circular swirling flowerhead
3 5/8 in. (92 mm.) wide

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Lot Essay

Rather than allow her son Achilles to die at Troy as prophesied, the nymph Thetis sent him to live at the court of Lycomedes, King of Skyros, disguised as a daughter of the King. Since another prophecy suggested that the Trojan war would not be won without Achilles, Odysseus and several others went to Skyros to find him. Odysseus discovered Achilles by offering gifts, jewellery and musical instruments as well as weapons, to the King's daughters, and then having his companions imitate the noises of an enemy's attack, complete with blaring trumpets. Achilles revealed himself by grabbing a weapon to fight back. Once discovered he accompanied Odysseus to the Trojan war.

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