APPARENTLY UNMARKED, CIRCA 1740

Details

A DUTCH OR GERMAN GOLD FLASK IN THE SHAPE OF A SNAIL
APPARENTLY UNMARKED, CIRCA 1740
Shaped like a snail, the shell cast and chased in relief with the figure of a River God, holding an urn of water under his left arm and an oar in his right hand, shell and foliate background on matted ground above a harbour scene with boat on polished ground framed within a cartouche, the foot of the mollusc naturalistically chased, the spirals chased with sea shells, sea serpent and snail, the detachable snail's head realistically cast and chased with screw thread to the body, marked later on rim of the flask with post 1893 French import mark for gold
2 15/16 in. (74 mm.) high
0.9 oz. (29 gr.)

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.

Lot Essay

A very similar gold flask in the shape of a snail, with differing chasing and suspension loop, formed part of the James A. de Rothschild Collection at Waddesdon Manor until it was stolen in 2003. S. Grandjean et al. discuss this piece in Gold Boxes and Miniatures of the 18th Century. The James A. de Rothschild Collection at Waddesdon Manor, London, 1975, no. 6, and draw comparisons with the work of Daniel Gouers, active 1717-36, who used a similar snail motif on the side of a gold snuff-box of Rococo design, circa 1734-35, illustrated A. K. Snowman, Eighteenth Century Gold Boxes of Europe, Woodbridge, 1990, pl. 148, 149A, p. 97.
Snails, sea shells and foliage were a popular motif on decorative works of art during the first half of the eighteenth century, with Aurele Meissonnier (1695-1750), painter, sculptor and architect, being one of the main contributors to this fashion. The present lot demonstrates his influence and is a fine example of the Rococo style.

More from IMPORTANT GOLD BOXES AND PORTRAIT MINIATURES

View All