PARIS, 1763/1764, WITH THE CHARGE AND DECHARGE MARKS OF JEAN-JACQUES PREVOST 1762-1768

Details

A LOUIS XV VARI-COLOUR GOLD-MOUNTED TORTOISESHELL AND LACQUER SNUFF-BOX
PARIS, 1763/1764, WITH THE CHARGE AND DECHARGE MARKS OF JEAN-JACQUES PREVOST 1762-1768
oval tortoiseshell box with red lacquer overlay within greek-key outer borders, hung with garlands between column pilasters, applied flower and leaf thumbpiece, the cover set with a portrait miniature of a young lady in a red dress, the base centred with vari-colour gold trophies, the flange engraved 'JOHN CORNELIUS VAN DEN HEUVEL 1770'
3¾ in. (90 mm.) wide

Provenance

As recorded in the handwritten note which accompanies this lot given to
John (Jan) Cornelius van den Heuvel of New York (d.1826) by his ‘first love (name unknown)’, presumably then by descent to his daughter,
Susan Annette (1805-1887), ‘Grandma Gibbes’, who married Thomas Stanyarne Gibbes (1799-1857) of North Carolina and then given to her grandson,
William Waldorf Astor (1848-1919) ‘Dear Willie’ on Christmas Day, 1885. He was the son of Charlotte Augusta Gibbes (1825-1887) and her husband John Jacob Astor III (1822-1890).

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

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Lot Essay

A hand written note inside the box reads 'The Vanden Heuvel snuff box belonged to my Great Grandfather / John Cornelius Vanden Heuvel. It was given me by my / Grandmother Mrs Gibbes Xmas 1885. The portrait is / that of his first love (name unknown) who gave it to him / about1770. Want of means prevented their marriage'. A second note reads 'For Dear Willie / from / Grandma Gibbes'
William Waldorf "Willy" Astor, 1st Viscount Astor (1848-1919) was a wealthy American-born attorney, politician, businessman, and newspaper publisher. He moved with his family to England in 1891, became an English subject in 1899, and was made a peer as Baron Astor in 1916 and Viscount Astor in 1917 for his contributions to war charities. He was the only child of the financier and philanthropist John Jacob Astor III (1822-1890) and Charlotte Augusta Gibbes (1825-1887).

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