Mid-18th century Gold and enamel snuffbox

This snuffbox has a contoured and moulded rim, richly chiselled and engraved with a variety of extremely meticulous motifs.The top of the box consists of three parts, each determined by a sinusoidal border: the central part represents a finely chased cartouche whose essential motifs are similar to those of a chatelaine: a waistcoat-maker with her watch, a case embellished with a blue banner, a fan, etc., ending in floral filaments. It is edged with a flat face dominated by the green and red colours of low-cut enamels, set in a border of fleurons alternating with predominantly blue semi-geometric motifs.
The base is centred with a classical trophy of love represented by two birds.the practically invisible hinge is hidden by the moulding joining the category of the boxes known as "which closes with perfection" (cf cognac Jay page 27). Box of the middle of the XVIIIth century, English or German. Missing enamel.
Provenance: Collection Armand HEINE and descent (1818-1883).
Weight: 142,8 gr.
Owl head 18 carat.
REF: 8362
PRICE: €34.000