tabatière ronde en or à double portrait par A.J.M Vachette, poinçon de charge et décharge, Paris, 1789, la bordure gravée Vachette Bijoutier à Paris

le couvercle et le dessous ornés de portraits miniatures d'un homme et d'une femme par Louise Péron Labroue, signés de ses initiales, encadrés de panneaux hexagonaux ciselés de motifs néoclassiques dont des coqs s'affrontant à des lions rugissant et des aigles, les bordures et la bâte ciselées de rinceaux feuillagés, poinçons de charges et de décharge, dans son écrin en cuir estampé 



circular, the lid and base inset with miniatures by Louise Péron Labroue, both signed with initials, of a lady and gentleman, within hexagonal convex panels chased with neoclassical motifs including perched eagles and confronting lions and cockerels, the borders and sides chased with leafy scrollwork, charge and discharge marks, n stamped leather case

Excellent condition of box and miniatures ; case has considerable wear and some damage
"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."

Although the miniatures appear to be contemporary with or slightly earlier than the box, it is probable that they were set into the box some years later as the style of the chased panels with their Napoleonic eagles and French cockerels crowing over British lions would date the panels nearer 1805. The artist Louise Péron (de) la Broue is said to have emigrated at the outset of the revolution to St Petersburg where she was introduced to the Court and painted Catherine the Great (see Christie's Geneva, 19 November 1991, lot 250) as well as other French emigrants such as Rose Bertin, formerly Marie Antoinette's dressmaker (see the Clore Collection II, Sotheby's London, 10 November 1986, lot 52). The sitters on the box ae so far unidentified.