Snuffboxes and Сigarette Сases

Sealing-wax case

    Sealing-wax case

    France, Paris

    1776–1777

    Le Bastier, Charles

    Three-colour gold, enamel

    12.7 × 2.6 × 1.5 cm

    Marks: maker’s mark; charge mark of Jean Baptiste Fouache (1774–1780); date letter N (1776–1777)

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    Painted enamel motifs such as arborisé were also used to decorate other accoutrements of fashion including étuis-à-cire, seen here. On this etui it is amusing to note the fly that the enamel painter has included below the shrubby clod in the lower reserve. This could reference the random painted fly that may sometimes be seen on Meissen porcelain – decorative, certainly, but often the means by which the decorators could disguise small firing blemishes.

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    9467.1-2MC958/ДПИ