GOLD TOILETRIES BOX.

Large multi-tone gold toiletries case with several compartments. The lid, the sides and the bottom are decorated with leafy garlands of green gold color alternating with strips on a background of amati gold. Each panel is decorated with a leaf frieze on a matt gold background. The cover is decorated with a medallion representing a dove near an altar. The sides are decorated with small oval medallions representing a squirrel, fruit and bird. The base is decorated with a medallion representing a dove pecking fruit arranged in a basket. The interior has several compartments. A mirror adorns the reverse of each compartment. The interior of the first compartment is set with a mirror. There is a brush with a gold handle and a compartment decorated with a finely chiseled medallion of doves on a quiver opening to place the eyeshadows. The second compartment is for placing " mouche" or black taffeta there.
This toiletries case is characteristic of vanity objects that were in vogue during the 18th century where the usage of red and white powders by the aristocracy was a daily ritual. An example of this can be seen in Boucher’s 1758 painting of the Marquise de Pompadour that is conserved at the Harvard Art Museum in Boston. In addition, the striking color of an aristocrat’s complexion was accented by artificial beauty marks made of black taffeta.
Poids: 4.62oz (131 g).

Gold marks:
Charge mark: Jean Baptiste Fouache 1775-1781
Release mark: Monkey head (tête de singe) 1775-1781
Other gold inventory marks for small gold objects
Goldsmith illigible