Snuffbox with painted enamel miniatures
Snuffbox with painted enamel miniatures
Switzerland, Geneva
1765–1770 ,1765–1770’s
Author Gervais P.
Enamel, gold; chasing, engraving, painted (pictorial) enamel, enamel on engraving
4.0 x 8.5 x 5.6 cm
On inner side of lid: manufacturer's mark PG under crown, helmet with double embossing on gorget, French control mark with eagle's head, 1847-1919, stamped twice.
Oval-shaped gold snuffbox with hinged top lid. The top lid, lower and side sides of the snuffbox are decorated with painted enamel inserts in round medallions surrounded by engraved frames and engraved leafy with ribbons ornament under translucent blue enamel. Linear guilloche surfaces serve as background. Enamel miniatures on biblical subjects are placed on the inserts. The top side of the lid depicts the subject "Idolatry of King Solomon" based on the painting by famous Dutch artist Jacob Willemsz de Wet the Elder. The lower surface of the snuffbox features the Old Testament subject "Esther before Ahasuerus" (from the Book of Esther). Small images of individual characters are placed on the side sides. The inner surfaces of the snuffbox are mirror polished. Marks of the master, assay masters, etc. are stamped on the inner surface of the lid. Inside the snuffbox, paper label with inscription in French in ornamental vignette is glued.On label: “COLLECTION de Monsieur le BARON HENRI DE ROTHSCHILD”? ink number «F2 / 49»
3089MC314/ДПИ