BY LES FRÈRES TOUSSAINT (FL. 1752-1803), MARKED, HANAU, CIRCA 1785, STRUCK WITH THE HANAU TOWN MARK FOR 19 CARAT GOLD, CROWNED LETTER K RESEMBLING THE PARISIAN DATE LETTER 1773/1774, A MARK RESEMBLING THE PARISIAN CHARGE MARK FOR 1768-1774 AND TWO FRENCH POST-1838 RESTRICTED WARRANTY MARKS FOR GOLD

Details

A GERMAN ENAMELLED GOLD SNUFF-BOX
BY LES FRÈRES TOUSSAINT (FL. 1752-1803), MARKED, HANAU, CIRCA 1785, STRUCK WITH THE HANAU TOWN MARK FOR 19 CARAT GOLD, CROWNED LETTER K RESEMBLING THE PARISIAN DATE LETTER 1773/1774, A MARK RESEMBLING THE PARISIAN CHARGE MARK FOR 1768-1774 AND TWO FRENCH POST-1838 RESTRICTED WARRANTY MARKS FOR GOLD
oval box, the cover, sides and base set with panels of wavy engine-turning enamelled in translucent gold, painted en camaïeu with brown winter branches within white enamel frames, chased vari-colour gold foliate outer entrelac borders and pilasters set at intervals with raised flowerheads and foliage, the cover inset with an oval enamel plaque depicting Cornelia and her jewels
3. 1/8 in. (79 mm.) wide

Lot Essay

Charles (1720-1790) and his brother Pierre-Etienne Toussaint (1726-1806) were Berlin bijoutiers of Huguenot descent who arrived in Hanau in 1752. Such was their influence amongst the Hanau goldsmiths that by 1762 they were employing several German craftsmen and chasers. For another box and catalogue note for this goldsmith see lot 27.

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