A LOUIS XVI ENAMELLED GOLD SNUFF-BOX

A LOUIS XVI ENAMELLED GOLD SNUFF-BOX
by Jean-Baptiste Marie (fl. 1769-1788), marked, Paris, 1778/1779, with the charge and discharge marks of Jean-Baptiste Fouache, later struck with two French post-1864 gold import marks
Oval box, the cover, base and four side panels enamelled with translucent caramel-colour on an engine-turned peaked ground, within reeded gold borders, the cover centred with an oval enamel plaque painted en grisaille with an oval portrait of Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II (1741-1790) dressed as a warrior with laurel crown, flanked by a standing nude child holding a laurel crown and by the Habsburg eagle holding a globe, sceptre and sword, on a marble column, purple drapery in the background, within a sablé gold border enamelled with translucent green leaves and chased with flowers surmounted by a bow cresting, the four side pilasters similarly hung with green enamelled swags, the frosted gold borders with twisted translucent green and opaque white ribbons enclosing pellets
3 3/16 in. (81 mm.) wide