tabatière en écaille piquée d'or à monture en or de deux tons par Charles Ouizille, Paris, 1782, les panneaux vers 1720

de forme ovale, le couvercle et le dessous décorés en piqué point d'or d'un décor de croisillons autour du monogramme ER/RE A, les montures en or jaune citron en forme de corde ou ciselées d'acanthe, poinçon de maître, poinçons de charge et décharge d'Henri Clavel



of generous oval form, the lid and base decorated in gold piqué point with formal diaper ornament enclosing the mongram ER/RE A, corded lemon gold and chased acanthus mounts, maker's mark, charge and discharge marks of Henri Clavel

In generally excellent condition, some repinning of mounts and very slight time wear. Piqué in exceptionally good order.
"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."

This gold box which, unusually for this date, incorporates earlier tortoiseshell panels, is more in the style of A.J.M. Vachette, many years later an associate, than that of Ouizille.

Charles Ouizille (1771-1830) was born on 4 October 1744 at Breuillet not far from Pairs, the son of a wine-grower, Louis-François Ouizille and his second wife, Marie- Catherine Cassé.  Following in the footsteps of his half-brother Louis, he became apprenticed to his maternal uncle, Louis-Guillaume Cassé, in 1760.  He qualified as master on 26 June 1771, sponsored by his relation-by-marriage Philippe-Antoine Magimel.

Ouizille became associated around 1781 with Pierre-François Drais, former partner of Tiron de Nanteuil, the successor of Jean Ducrollay.  Both Drais and Ouizille were appointed bijoutiers du Roi, frequently figuring in the accounts of the Menus Plaisirs as suppliers of boxes.  In 1801 Charles Ouizille entered a post-revolutionary lozenge mark for le gros bijou from 38 Quai des Orfèvres, later becoming associated with A.J.M. Vachette.  With the Restoration, he regained his old title of bijoutier du Roi in 1816.  In 1820 he entered into partnership with Petitjean, fournisseur de la Chambre du Roi.  Charles Ouizille died in 1830 but the succession was assured.  Armand-Luc (1784-1878), son of Charles and his wife, Marie-Anne Defer, member of the family of goldsmiths of that name, had continued the family tradition and entered into partnership with Guillaume Lemoine, his wife's brother.