A LOUIS XVI THREE-COLOUR GOLD BOÎTE-À-MINIATURE WITH SECRET MECHANISM

A LOUIS XVI THREE-COLOUR GOLD BOÎTE-À-MINIATURE WITH SECRET MECHANISM
by Auguste-Gaspard Turmine (fl. 1778-1786), marked, Paris, 1778/1779, with the charge and discharge marks of Jean-Baptiste Fouache 1774-1780, later struck with two Parisian post-1838 restricted warranty marks for gold, the miniature French School, circa 1778, indistinctly signed
Circular box, the independent cover and base engine-turned with shifted concentric circles forming a pattern of peaked lozenges, the sides similarly engine-turned with peaked lozenges, the lid centred by an oval portrait miniature of a young gentleman bust-length in grey coat with gold-bordered blue lapels, white waistcoat and lace jabot, within a reeded gold mount with hinge at the top surrounded by a husk, berry and rosebud border on a matted band, the portrait medallion springing open when a secret mechanism is released by pushing a concealed button in the side border of the lid, the base centred by a circular reserve applied with a foliate rosette on a frosted ground within a guilloché border flanked by flutes, the matted gold rims applied with husks, berries and flowerheads surrounded by flutes
2 7/16 in. (62 mm.) diam.