timbale couverte en vermeil et "émail de Saxe" par Johann Engelbrecht, Augsbourg, vers 1720

à décor en relief d'or et peint en émaux polychromes de dieux et déesses dans un paysage pastoral, surmonté de délicates guirlandes de fleurs, le couvercle orné de portraits en médaillons entre des ornements Régence sur un fond amati


the enamel sleeve decorated in raised gilding and painted in polychrome enamels with gods and goddesses inhabiting a pastoral landscape, below delicate flower swags, the cover applied with portrait medallions interrupted by régence ornament on matting

Generally excellent condition, few and minor haircracks, good colour of gilding on silver.
"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."

Nombreuses sont les recherches effectuées sur l'"émail de saxe" sans que le lieu de leur fabrication n'ait été identifié avec certitude. Walter Holzhausen découvrit dans les années 1920 que beaucoup des décors à relief à feuille d'or provenaient directement des deux médailliers, Raymond Faltz et Jan Boskam, qui travaillaient à la cour de Brandenburg-Prusse à la fin du XVII^e siècle. Ulrike Weinhold souligna plus récemment que nombreux sont les décors de paniers de fleurs, guirlandes et rubans faits également  au pochoir ( Emailmalerei, Munich, 2000, p.160). Il a été également suggéré que de tels décors étaient faits à Augsbourg, Dresde, ou Berlin. Ceci expliquerait l'existence d'exemples signés par les Fromery, marchands à Berlin, par Christian Friedrich Herold, le peintre de la porcelaine de Meissen, et par le mystérieux JGV, (dont une plaque signée fut vendue chez Christie's Londres, 8 Decembre 1982, lot 15) à qui Weinhold attribue le service de toilette conservée à la Munich Residenz. Bien qu'une majorité des montures en argent des services de toilettes et tasses et soucoupes soit au poinçon d'Ausgbourg, les émaux sont, selon Weinhold, de Berlin ou Dresde.

The study of what is known as 'émail de Saxe' has long enthralled scholars although no conclusive answer as to where it was made has been found. Walter Holzhausen discovered in the 1920s that many of the gold foil reliefs were taken directly from two medallists, Raymond Faltz and Jan Boskam, working at the Brandenburg-Prussian court in the late 17^th century. Ulrike Weinhold has pointed out more recently that much of the repetitive flower basket, garland and ribbon ornament was also made with stencils ( Emailmalerei, Munich, 2000, p.160) . It has been variously suggested that such ornament was made in Augsburg, Dresden or Berlin. This would explain the reason why examples have been found signed by the Fromerys, retailers in Berlin, by Christian Friedrich Herold, the Meissen porcelain painter, and by the mysterious JGV (who signed a documentary plaque, Christie's London, 8 December 1982, lot 15) and to whom Weinhold attributes the toilet service in the Munich Residenz. Despite the fact that many of the silver mounts for the toilet services and covered cups were made in Augsburg, Weinhold discounts it as a source for the enamels, preferring Berlin and Dresden.