Silver Box with Niello, Gold, and Turquoise. In the Taste of J.C Kirstein

Small rectangular box in silver scrollwork on a niello background. The hinged lid features a hunting scene with a pack of dogs chasing a deer in the forest. A castle can be seen in the distant background of the landscape. The composition is similar to those made by Jacques Frédéric Kirstein, with its overlaid pieces of gold leaf set in relief and protected by a domed glass cover. The composition is framed with turquoise beads of varying sizes. The silver-gilt sides of the box feature a delicate relief of scrolling foliage, and the underside of the box is embellished with a central geometric pattern framed with a silver-gilt decoration that is itself surrounded with more scrolling foliage on a niello background. The interior of the box is entirely lined with gold. Engraved on the underside of the lid in gothic letters: To Lemaire from his friend Joseph Garnep. New Years day 1853. Joseph Garnet (1833-1913) was a British Marshall who served in Burma, Crimea and numerous other military campaigns.
Weight: 6.1 oz (172 g) L: 3.5 in (9 cm) W: 2.2 in (5.5 cm) H: 0.8 in (2 cm)
Marks: 18 carat reinspection mark: Eagle Head
Title mark: Old Man’s Head (1819-1838)
Guarantee Mark: Gorgon Head (Paris 1819-1838)
Master Goldsmith Mark: J.A.M. The exceptional craftsmanship of the gold was finalized by the Kirstenstein (Kirstein) goldsmiths in Alsace, France. They were part of a metal working dynasty in Strasbourg that spanned five generations. Jacques Fréderic (1765-1838) specialized in high relief sculptures of small panels in gold, silver, and silver-gilt for the decoration of snuff boxes. He primarily illustrated military or hunting scenes. His technique earned him renown, and he displayed his work in numerous Salons between 1810 and 1834.
French craftsmanship, Restauration period.