boîte en or ornée de miniatures de fleurs par Jean-François van Dael (1764-1840), signée, A.A. Héguin, Paris, vers 1805

circular, the lid, sides and base inset with gouache miniatures of pale pink roses, narrow blue enamel, chased gold acanthus and laurel mounts, maker's mark, bear's head 3e titre, cock's head Paris petite garantie

Charles Joseph, comte de Flahaut (1785-1870) and his wife, Margaret Mercer Elphinstone, Viscountess Keith (1788-1867);
thence by family descent

 

 

One small strip of lost enamel on lid rim approximately 2mm otherwise excellent crisp 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."

Margaret Mercer Elphinstone, née en 1788, était la fille et héritière de l'Amiral Lord Keith. Elle devint une amie proche de la princesse Charlotte et de Lord Byron notamment. Fort caractère, elle résista à bien des avances de chasseurs de fortune et ce n'est qu'à l'âge de 27 ans qu'elle fut choisit d'épouser l'ancien aide-de-camp de Napoléon, le comte de Flahault, malgré son père et tout sentiment patriotique. En dépit de la réputation sulfureuse du comte (la légende veut qu'il ait eu un fils, le futur duc de Morny, avec Hortense de Beauharnais, femme de Louis Bonaparte), le mariage semble avoir été heureux, et ils eurent cinq filles. Après la révolution de juillet 1830 (voir lot 2), le comte retrouva son rang et fut nommé ambassadeur de Louis Philippe à la Cour de Berlin, de Vienne puis à St James. Les salons des Flahaut étaient trés en vue, les femmes attirées par les charmes du comte, les hommes par les discussions politiques et la généreuse hospitalité de la comtesse.

Born in 1788, Margaret Mercer Elphinstone, daughter of Admiral Lord Keith was an heiress in her own right. She became a close friend of Princess Charlotte and of Lord Byron, among others. She possessed great strength of character, resisting the wiles of many a fortune hunter and choosing for herself at the advanced age of 27, to marry in 1817 Napoleon's former aide-de-camp, the comte de Flahault, against her father's wishes and patriotic inclinations. Despite the Count's devastating reputation as a ladykiller (said to be the illegitimate son of Talleyrand, he was reputed to have been the father of a son, the future duc de Morny, with Hortense de Beauharnais, wife of Louis Bonaparte), the marriage appears to have been successful. It produced five daughters and after the July Revolution in 1830 (see lot 2), the Count was restored to his former rank, representing Louis Philippe as French ambassador at the Courts of Berlin, Vienna and St James. The Flahauts' salons were much admired by society ; the ladies attracted by their charming host, the gentlemen by their hostess's enjoyment of political discussion and her generous hospitality.