BY ADRIEN-JEAN-MAXIMILIEN VACHETTE (FL. 1753-1839), PARIS, 1784; WITH CHARGE AND DECHARGE OF HENRI CLAVEL, 1783-1789, WITH POST-REVOLUTIONARY MAKER'S MARK, PETITE RECENSE POUR LES OUVRAGES MARQUES DES POINCONS DE L'ANCIEN REGIME AND PETITES RECENCES FOR PARIS 1809-1819 AND 1819-1838

Details

A LOUIS XVI GOLD AND HARDSTONE SNUFF BOX
BY ADRIEN-JEAN-MAXIMILIEN VACHETTE (FL. 1753-1839), PARIS, 1784; WITH CHARGE AND DECHARGE OF HENRI CLAVEL, 1783-1789, WITH POST-REVOLUTIONARY MAKER'S MARK, PETITE RECENSE POUR LES OUVRAGES MARQUES DES POINCONS DE L'ANCIEN REGIME AND PETITES RECENCES FOR PARIS 1809-1819 AND 1819-1838
Oval, the lid and sides inset with panels of cloudy brown agate, the lid panel slightly domed and ringed by a lighter striation within a fluted gold mount, the side panels framed by plain flutes, the base with ovolo border, the underside with polished gold centre within a fluted border, engraved with later inscription on flange, marked inside the base rim and on cover rim
3 1/3 in. (85 mm.) wide
gross weight 3 oz. 15 dwt. (117 gr.)
The later inscription reads: '23 Mai 1932-25 mai 1957'.

Provenance

Anonymous sale; Sotheby's, Geneva, 18 November 1997, lot 216.

Special notice

This lot has been imported from outside of the UK for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable at 5% on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on our invoice.

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Harry Williams-Bulkeley International Head of Silver Department

hwilliams-bulkeley@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2666

Lot Essay

Adrien Vachette was one of the best-known of the Parisian gold box makers at the turn of the 18th to the 19th Century. Born in Cauffry and possibly apprenticed with Pierre-François Drais, he registered his mark in 1779. His shop was Place Dauphine in Paris, and he worked for a time with Marie-Etienne Nitot, one of the court jewellers of Emperor Napoleon I and with the firm of Ouizille and Lemoine after the restoration of the monarchy. In 1816, Charles Ouizille and Adrien Vachette became the official jewellers of Louis XVIII's court.
A prolific designer and one of the most noted master craftsman of his generation, Vachette is best known for the production of ornate gold boxes and the use of natural materials like tortoiseshell and especially hardstones.

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