Poudrier rond en or et laque par Jean-Joseph Barrière, Paris, 1766

la laque couleur aventurine ornée de rosaces en or repercées, doublure en écaille, poinçon de décharge de J.J Prévost;  avec une boîte en or de deux tons à douze faces,  probablement par David Kreisel Snr, Vienne, autres poinçons illisibles, vers 1790, poinçons de contrôle pour Vienne, début du XIXe siècle



circular, aventurine lacquer with ajouré gold rosettes and borders over blue lacquer, tortoiseshell lining, discharge mark of J.J. Prévost; and a twelve-sided two-colour gold box, engine-turned within chased garland borders, maker's mark DK crowned, probably for David Kreisel Snr. with two illegible prestige marks, circa 1790 with early 19th century Vienna control marks

First box; generally smart impression but one side panel has been discreetly restored leaving the surface quite rough; close inspection shows that the blue lacquer has cracked and one very small portion is lacking on the base border, aventurine lacquer base has some minor cracking and scratching second box: lid is hinged, really bright and crisp box in excellent condition, 133.4g
"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."

The author of the first box, Jean-Joseph Barrière, who was apprenticed in 1750 to C.N.L Dumoussay, became master in Paris in 1763, sponsored by the gold box maker Henri Delobel, and is recorded as working at least until 1793. He was a most prolific producer perhaps best known later on for his vigorous enamelled boxes. This early lacquer box with its delicate gold work and combination of blue and gold textures is a forecast of a colour combination that he was frequently to use in gold and enamel.

The maker's mark on the second box appears to be that of David Kreisel Senior of Vienna who became master in 1780 and paid taxes from 1781-1796.His widow Magdalena is recorded in 1797 and his son David Kreisel Junior entered the guild in 1813 (Neuwirth, Waltraud, Wiener Silber 1781-1866, Vienna, 2002, p. 143).  For a very similar ten-sided two-colour gold snuff box, engine-turned within chased borders, maker's mark also described as DK crowned, Vienna, see Christie's Geneva, 13 November 1985, lot 25.