A SWISS ENAMELLED GOLD SNUFF-BOX

GENEVA, CIRCA 1820

Details

A SWISS ENAMELLED GOLD SNUFF-BOX
Geneva, circa 1820
Rectangular box with cut corners, the cover set with a rectangular enamel plaque depicting Diogenes at the market place, within black and white enamel borders, flanked by two vertical black enamel panels engraved en taille d'épargne with vine leaves emerging from a pair of cornucopiae, the base with similar vine leaves framing a translucent blue enamelled engine-turned diaper pattern panel, with matching white bordered enamel panels on the sides of the box, the canted corners engraved with gold foliage on black taille d'épargne enamel panels, the inside of the cover engraved with cyrillic provenance inscription
96 mm. (3.3/4 in.) wide

Provenance

Presented by Grand-Duke Constantin Pavlovich of Russia to Cato Shtshabilskij in 1826.
Presented by the latter to his nephew Pavel Shtshabilskij in 1863.

Lot Essay

This scene from the life of Diogenes who lived in Athens and Corinth relates how the philosopher was searching for an honest man in a crowded market place in broad daylight with a lit lantern.
We are indebted to Dr. Hans Boeckh, Geneva, for the identification of this scene.

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