- 81
A three-colour gold portrait snuff box
Estimate
3,500 - 4,500 GBP
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Description
- width 6.5cm, 2 1/2 in
René-Antoine Bailleul, charge mark of Julien Alaterre, discharge of Jean-Baptiste Fouache, Paris, 1774, the rim numbered: 744
oval, the lid inset with an oval miniature of a lady, almost full face, by George Engleheart, with powdered hair under a blue-ribbonned cap, white ruffled chemise under a black lace tippet, the ground scale engine-turned within chased acanthus borders
oval, the lid inset with an oval miniature of a lady, almost full face, by George Engleheart, with powdered hair under a blue-ribbonned cap, white ruffled chemise under a black lace tippet, the ground scale engine-turned within chased acanthus borders
Condition
Gold worn. The front, back and sides with shallow dents near base. There is a small amount of mould under the glass.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
It is known that René-Antoine Bailleul was baptised in 1741 and became master from the rue de Harlay, under the patronage of his uncle, Sébastien Chéret, in 1769. He remained at the same address, selling 'le bijou' until 1781 when he moved to the quai des Orfèvres where he is recorded for the next ten years. The almanach mentions Bailleul as a jeweller and on 31st March 1774, the same year as this box was made, posters were put up offering a four louis reward for the return of a lost gold box, decorated with the portrait of a girl and coloured gold trophies. Nocq notes that Bailleul presented very small quantities of gold for marking and concludes, somewhat surprisingly given the quite normal number of boxes extant, that he must have produced very little (Le poinçon de Paris, Paris, 1926-1931, vol. I, p.44).