A gold and enamel snuff box

maker's mark rubbed but probably FJ in script, between two sunray marks, further struck: 18K, circa 1805, the rim numbered: 173 and with contemporary Austrian import marks



rectangular with cut corners, the lid inset with a large enamel plaque painted with an allegory of Charity, by Jean-Abraham Lissignol, signed, seated in rural surroundings and attended by fluttering putti, the sides and base enamelled in translucent blue over sunray or banded engine-turning within black and gold trefoil borders

Jean-Abraham Lissignol (1749-1819), known as Pére Lissignol to distinguish him from his son Abraham also an enameller in Geneva, was trained by Jean-Marc Roux. As well as painting portrait miniatures, he supplied the Fabrique with plaques for snuff boxes and watch cases. He appears to have specialised in allegorical subjects particularly those including plump cherubs (the Patek Philippe Museum possesses a  box with an allegory of The Arts and Nature, which is very similar in colour and construction to the present example). In 1806, Père Lissignol wrote eloquently to the Paris authorities (Geneva then being occupied by France) suggesting that the Imperial Court should buy enamelled trinkets to encourage the failing trade in Geneva, just as they had bought Lyons silk to help that market recover (Geneva archives).