Snuffbox with enamel miniatures in sepia style
Snuffbox with enamel miniatures in sepia style
France, Paris
1779-1780
Master Louis Ouizille
Gold, enamel; sepia-style enamel, cloisonné enamel, chasing, engine-turning (guilloché)
2.9 x 8.2 x 6.1 cm
Marks stamped on the interior surfaces of the lid and base; the Cyrillic inscription engraved on the inner rim (bezel). On the interior surface – master's mark; tax farmer's mark – Jean-Baptiste Fouache (1774-1780); date letter "Q" (1779-1780); export mark of Henri Clavel (1780-1789); stamped numbers "537" and "84" (the third digit is rubbed)
Oval-shaped gold snuffbox featuring a hinged lid that conceals a tobacco compartment with mirror-polished interior surfaces. The top of the lid and the exterior surface of the bottom are decorated with inset oval enamel medallions featuring tonal monochrome painting in the sepia style, depicting rural landscapes with temple structures surrounded by trees. The painted miniatures are positioned against ground of regular radial (sunburst) engine-turning and enclosed within the double border: a narrow chain of white enamel beads and wide frame with the raised floral ornament executed in three-color enamel against stippled background.
The side walls of the body are adorned with enamel plaques featuring landscape compositions in the matching sepia style. The side inlays are also outlined by rows of white enamel beads and flanked by applied raised decoration consisting of leaves, volutes, and drops of multicolored enamel.
2267MC522/ДПИ