A gold and enamel bonbonnière

Charles-Alexandre Bouillerot, charge and discharge marks of Jean-Baptiste Fouache, Paris, 1778



circular, the lid and base chased and picked out in multi-coloured enamels with flowersprays, the ground enamelled in translucent lavender over barley grain engine-turning within borders of white beads and multi-coloured flowers on a matted ground

Antoine-Omer Talon, marquis du Boulay et de Tremblay-le-Vicomte (1760-1811);
thence by descent

This and the following two lots were purchased by or given to Antoine-Omer Talon, a notable member of the illustrious French family of Talon. Originally from Ireland, the family moved to France in the 16th century. Its members were soldiers, lawyers and administrators including Omer Talon (born 1538), procureur du Roi at the Parliament of Paris, and  Jean Talon, comte d'Orsainville (1625-1691), first Intendant of New France and successful promoter of France's interests in the North American continent.

Antoine Omer was a devoted Royalist. Trained as a lawyer, he was appointed lieutenant au Châtelet, one of the highest positions in the French police during the 18th century. In 1772, he was accorded a pension of 2,000 francs a year and the title of marquis by Louis XV. During the uneasy time preceding the Revolution, he was one of the King's most active supporters in the Etats généraux and the Assemblé Constituante. After the fall of the Monarchy in 1792, he managed to escape arrest and fled to America where he helped to establish a settlement of émigrés in Pennsylvania. During the Directoire, in 1795, he returned to France as a secret agent liaising between remaining royalists in France and those abroad. This dangerous mission came to an end with Napoleon's rise to power and he was exiled to Sainte-Marguerite but released in 1807 when he was declared insane.

 

The side of this box has a large loss to the enamel, extending approx. 6cm. (Clients are invited to request a detail image of this.) There are very minor enamel losses to the borders, some of which are visible in the catalogue photo. Apart from these, the box is in good, unrestored condition.
"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."