MAKER'S MARK A [.] WITHIN A VERTICAL LOZENGE, POSSIBLY FOR ADOLPHE DEBAIN (FL. FROM 1851), THE FLANGE STAMPED WITH INVENTORY NUMBER 248, LATER STRUCK WITH PARISIAN POST-1838 RESTRICTED WARRANTY MARK FOR GOLD

Details

A FRENCH IMPERIAL GOLD PRESENTATION SNUFF-BOX
MAKER'S MARK A [.] WITHIN A VERTICAL LOZENGE, POSSIBLY FOR ADOLPHE DEBAIN (FL. FROM 1851), THE FLANGE STAMPED WITH INVENTORY NUMBER 248, LATER STRUCK WITH PARISIAN POST-1838 RESTRICTED WARRANTY MARK FOR GOLD
cartouche-shaped box with wavy baluster sides, the hinged cover, sides and base of matted gold, the cover centred with an applied imperial crown and initial 'N' of Napoleon III (1808-1873), Emperor of France 1848-1852, within an oval Rococo cartouche, the cover, sides and base boldly chased with scrolling foliage and strapwork within polished gold borders
3½ in. (89 mm.) wide
5¾ oz. (162 gr.)

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 17.5% on the buyer's premium.

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Lot Essay

The Parisian goldsmith Adolphe Debain struck his mark in 1851. Charles-Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte (1808-1873) became Emperor of France as Napoléon III in December 1852. For another example of a box by this maker with similar decoration see Christie's, Geneva, 16 May 1995, lot 60.

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