JEAN DUCROLLAY, PARIS, 1754-55

Details

AN IMPORTANT LOUIS XV GOLD AND ENAMEL DOUBLE SNUFFBOX
Jean Ducrollay, Paris, 1754-55
Rectangular, the cover and base each with en plein enamel panel depicting a Muse reclining on clouds, the sides with four en plein enamel panels depicting musical trophies, one with an open songbook inscribed "JE CHANTE LA GLOIRE DES DIEUX," all panels surrounded by basse-taille translucent enamel ribbons and foliage against an engraved trellis ground, the cover with a false thumbpiece disguising two hinged covers at the front and back, marked inside base and inside cover, on interior divider, and with the discharge mark on one bezel
2¾in. (7.2cm.) long

Provenance

Robert McCall (d. 1854) of Philadelphia, purchased in Paris
Peter McCall, son, m. 1846 to Jane Byrd Mercer (b.1825)
John Cadwalader Sr., received as a gift from Mrs. Peter McCall
Miss Gertrude McCall, daughter of Peter McCall, received as a gift from John Cadwalader, Sr.
John Cadwalader, Jr. (b. 24 February 1874), received as a gift from Gertrude McCall
Anne Cadwalader (Mrs. John H. W. Ingersoll, b. 13 July 1911), then by descent to the present owner

This box is described in the Will of John Cadwalder, Jr., "to my daughter, Anne, I bequeath the gold enamel snuff box said to have belonged to Napoleon I and given to me by Miss Gertrude McCall in appreciation of my father's affection and life-long services to the family of Mr. Peter McCall who was also my Godfather." The Napoleon association came from Robert McCall, who bought the box in Paris at an auction of primarily Napoleonic material.

Exhibited

Philadelphia Museum of Art, "The Cadwalader Family," November 3, 1996-February 2, 1997

Lot Essay

Jean Ducrollay, one of the most important Parisian boxmakers, apprenticed under Jean Drais and became master in 1734. His best work dates from the 1750s, when the Registres des présents du Roi record several of his boxes being ordered for diplomatic gifts from the King. After 1761, he formed a partnership with Jean-Marie Tiron, another great boxmaker of the period, who also produced boxes with fine en plein enamel panels such as those on the present example.

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