Snuffbox with the initials "MB" under a crown
Snuffbox with the initials "MB" under a crown
France, Paris
Circa 1850
A. Debain
Gold, silver, diamonds; chasing, guilloché enamel, champlevé enamel, inlay
2.6 x 8.2 x 5.9 cm, 154 g
On the bezel, the maker's mark "AG" in a vertically oriented lozenge; late (from 1887) export marks of a hare's head in rectangular shield with clipped corners and the head of Mercury head in an octagonal shield
The snuffbox is made of gold in the shape of a cartouche, with a hinged lid. The lid is decorated with the initials "MB" under a crown, formed by inlay of diamonds against the background of translucent ruby guilloché enamel. The enamel is enclosed in fanciful shape that forms a golden floral ornament against opaque blue enamel background. The bottom of the snuffbox is decorated similarly, but without the initials. The sides are decorated with a floral pattern featuring translucent ruby and opaque blue enamel.
4511/ДПИ