A LOUIS XV VARI-COLOUR GOLD SNUFF-BOX

BY GERMAIN CHAY, MARKED, PARIS, 1755/1756, WITH THE CHARGE AND DISCHARGE MARKS OF JULIEN BERTHE

細節

A LOUIS XV VARI-COLOUR GOLD SNUFF-BOX
by Germain Chay, marked, Paris, 1755/1756, with the charge and discharge marks of Julien Berthe
Rectangular box, the cover, four side panels and base engraved with sunburst motifs and centred by flowersprays boldly chased in four-colour gold, within cartouches engraved with scalloped borders with bright-cut rims
2.5/8 in. (66 mm.) wide
4 oz. (137 gr.)

拍品專文

Germain Chay struck his mark in 1755 and was sponsored by Jean-Charles Frmin. Thus, the present box of 1755/56 must be one of his earliest works. In 1774 his business was so successful that he was number 13 of his guild. In 1782 and 1783 he was elected warden of the goldsmiths guild. He was last recorded in 1791. Works by his hand are in the Louvre, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and at Waddesdon Manor.