Ref: 2979
A very rare blue enamelled and guilloché oval Hanau gold box
Charles et Pierre-Etienne Toussaint
Ref: 2979
A very rare blue enamelled and guilloché oval Hanau gold box
Charles et Pierre-Etienne Toussaint
18th Century
Gold and Enamel
2.9 x 6.6 x 4.9 cm (1 ¹/₈ x 2 ⁵/₈ x 1 ⁷/₈ inches)
Germany - Hanau ca 1790
Gold and Enamel
2.9 x 6.6 x 4.9 cm (1 ¹/₈ x 2 ⁵/₈ x 1 ⁷/₈ inches)
Germany - Hanau ca 1790
Description: A BLUE-ENAMELLED AND GUILLOCHE OVAL HANAU GOLD SNUFF BOX
Hanau, circa 1790
Goldsmith’s mark: The Toussaint Brothers [L.F.T.], active in Hanau between 1762 and 1814
Oval tabatière in two-colour 750 gold, entirely decorated with fleurettes and chased reserves of concentric chevron patterns on the lid and base, and undulating lines on the sides, all within moulded frames. The decoration is enhanced with translucent midnight-blue enamel over a ground of bandes or opaque white enamel lines, and with four pilasters on the sides, each featuring a floral cartouche adorned with a drop-shaped ornament. The rims are decorated with stylised pearl borders. Hinged lid.
The hallmarks correspond unequivocally to the three different punches which, together, form the characteristic hallmark combination of the Toussaint Brothers.
A bird’s-head stamp is also present on the rim.
The unusual guilloché decoration of the gold box is particularly noteworthy.
Prestige marks in imitation of Parisian hallmarks: De la Jurande de 1773 [crowned K], struck on the reverse of the lid and on the body.
Gross weight: 78 g
Dimensions: 29 × 66 × 49 mm
For comparison, see an oval snuff box in polychrome 750 gold, without enamel, with a lid featuring a central volute, made by Germain Chaye (master in Paris in 1755 and active until 1791), dated 1774–1775, and sold by Christie’s, London, on 5 December 2018.
Hanau, circa 1790
Goldsmith’s mark: The Toussaint Brothers [L.F.T.], active in Hanau between 1762 and 1814
Oval tabatière in two-colour 750 gold, entirely decorated with fleurettes and chased reserves of concentric chevron patterns on the lid and base, and undulating lines on the sides, all within moulded frames. The decoration is enhanced with translucent midnight-blue enamel over a ground of bandes or opaque white enamel lines, and with four pilasters on the sides, each featuring a floral cartouche adorned with a drop-shaped ornament. The rims are decorated with stylised pearl borders. Hinged lid.
The hallmarks correspond unequivocally to the three different punches which, together, form the characteristic hallmark combination of the Toussaint Brothers.
A bird’s-head stamp is also present on the rim.
The unusual guilloché decoration of the gold box is particularly noteworthy.
Prestige marks in imitation of Parisian hallmarks: De la Jurande de 1773 [crowned K], struck on the reverse of the lid and on the body.
Gross weight: 78 g
Dimensions: 29 × 66 × 49 mm
For comparison, see an oval snuff box in polychrome 750 gold, without enamel, with a lid featuring a central volute, made by Germain Chaye (master in Paris in 1755 and active until 1791), dated 1774–1775, and sold by Christie’s, London, on 5 December 2018.
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A very rare blue enamelled and guilloché oval Hanau gold box