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Lot Essay
This box is typical of its period and is amongst the earliest example of its type, recorded together with Lot 69 in this sale.
ORFÈVRE AUX GOBELINS
Claude Michel de Villers was born into a distinguished dynasty of goldsmiths associated with the Gobelins Manufactory. His father, François de Villers, held the prestigious title of orfèvre ordinaire du Roi. As was often the case in artisan families of the period, several generations bore the same name first name making precise identification difficult. The maker of the present box can, however, be identified as Claude de Villers V, who became a master in 1718 by virtue of the privileges granted to craftsmen of the Gobelin Manufactory. He resided at the Gobelin Manufactory, which brough him into close contact with a wide range of artists and craftsmen, perhaps accounting for his particular skill in combining gold with hardstones. The present box, mounted with bloodstone plaques, exemplifies this versatility, which is also evident in other works incorporating mother-of-pearl and shells, such as lot 134 in the present sale.
SUPPLIED BY GOUERS
Although Claude de Villers' name is not recorded by Maze-Sencier in the Livre des Collectionneurs, 1885, as delivering boxes to the court, it is possible that his work might be confused with that of Gouers whose name is engraved on the flange, although he only acted as a supplier.
Indeed Gouers was one of the most important suppliers to the Court and he is recorded on several occasions as having delivered gold-mounted hardstone snuff-boxes. Again Maze-Sencier cites the delivery of similar boxes (op. cit. p.149).
ORFÈVRE AUX GOBELINS
Claude Michel de Villers was born into a distinguished dynasty of goldsmiths associated with the Gobelins Manufactory. His father, François de Villers, held the prestigious title of orfèvre ordinaire du Roi. As was often the case in artisan families of the period, several generations bore the same name first name making precise identification difficult. The maker of the present box can, however, be identified as Claude de Villers V, who became a master in 1718 by virtue of the privileges granted to craftsmen of the Gobelin Manufactory. He resided at the Gobelin Manufactory, which brough him into close contact with a wide range of artists and craftsmen, perhaps accounting for his particular skill in combining gold with hardstones. The present box, mounted with bloodstone plaques, exemplifies this versatility, which is also evident in other works incorporating mother-of-pearl and shells, such as lot 134 in the present sale.
SUPPLIED BY GOUERS
Although Claude de Villers' name is not recorded by Maze-Sencier in the Livre des Collectionneurs, 1885, as delivering boxes to the court, it is possible that his work might be confused with that of Gouers whose name is engraved on the flange, although he only acted as a supplier.
Indeed Gouers was one of the most important suppliers to the Court and he is recorded on several occasions as having delivered gold-mounted hardstone snuff-boxes. Again Maze-Sencier cites the delivery of similar boxes (op. cit. p.149).