Lot Essay
The maker's marks for both Eugène Fontenay and Eugène Fontaine contain the initials 'E F' and a fontaine à thé as the symbole, precluding a firm attribution to either goldsmith.
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BY EUGÈNE FONTENAY (FL. 1863-1882) OR EUGÈNE FONTAINE (FL. FROM 1847), MARKED, PARIS, WITH THE POST-1838 WARRANTY MARK FOR SILVER
Details
A FRENCH SILVER-GILT SNUFF-BOX SET WITH A PORCELAIN PLAQUE
BY EUGÈNE FONTENAY (FL. 1863-1882) OR EUGÈNE FONTAINE (FL. FROM 1847), MARKED, PARIS, WITH THE POST-1838 WARRANTY MARK FOR SILVER
octagonal box with cut corners, the cover applied with a porcelain plaque painted with a mountainous lakeside landscape and pastoral lodge, the base and side panels engraved with an engine-turned wavy guilloché ground scattered with pellets, bordered with stylized acanthus and trailing foliage
2 3/8 in. (57 mm.) wide
BY EUGÈNE FONTENAY (FL. 1863-1882) OR EUGÈNE FONTAINE (FL. FROM 1847), MARKED, PARIS, WITH THE POST-1838 WARRANTY MARK FOR SILVER
octagonal box with cut corners, the cover applied with a porcelain plaque painted with a mountainous lakeside landscape and pastoral lodge, the base and side panels engraved with an engine-turned wavy guilloché ground scattered with pellets, bordered with stylized acanthus and trailing foliage
2 3/8 in. (57 mm.) wide
Provenance
Christie's, Geneva, 21 May 1997, lot 275.
Special notice
VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 15% on the buyer's premium