Philippe-Antoine Magimel struck his mark in 1721 and was garde du Corps de l'Orfèvrerie de Paris in 1736/1737, 1737/1738 and 1751/1752. In 1751, his nomination as grand-garde was empeached by the opposition of Noël Hardivilliers, Alexis Porcher and several other ex-gardes, whereas Julien Berthe acted in his favour. Nevertheless, Magimel became grand-garde in 1752 and consul in 1759. He died in 1772, aged 80.
An engraving representing Magimel, by Demarteau after Aubert, is illustrated in Henry Nocq, Le poinçon de Paris, Paris 1968, vol. III, opp. p. 176.

For two similar boxes, of smaller size and with illegible maker's marks, see Sotheby's Geneva, 6 May 1981, lot 63, and Christie's Geneva, 11 May 1982, lot 181.