A LOUIS XVIII GOLD-MOUNTED BOÎTE À PORTRAIT, P. Simon, Paris, the miniature by Joseph Bordes, circa 1815

the lid inset with an oval miniature of a lady in a white dress and a cashmere shawl, the frame chased with foliate scrolls and rosettes within blue enamel band

Giuseppe Rossi, sold
Sotheby's, London, 10 March 1999, The Porcelain, Paintings, Silver and Decorative Arts, From the Estate of the late Giuseppe Rossi, Vol. IV, lot 915

repaired crack to tortoiseshell on one lower side, shell spring and separating on one upper angle, miniature good condition and nice quality
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Joseph Bordes, born in Toulon, exhibited  at the Paris Salon between 1808 and 1835.  His sitters included General Bertrand, Joachim Murat, King of Naples, and the celebrated tragic actor François Joseph Talma.

The goldsmith P. Simon specialized as a box-mounter. He entered his mark as a 'bijoutier-garnisseur: la boîte ronde de forme et toute la garniture' in 1810-11 and is recorded at 172 rue St-Martin in 1812 and 22 rue Bourg-l'Abbé in 1818. For examples of tortoiseshell portrait snuff boxes with mounts by Simon, see Sotheby's Zurich, 14 November 1979, lot 227, and Serge Grandjean, Les tabatières du musée du Louvre, Paris, 1981, no.370. The Pierre Simon, 'tabletier-garnisseur' who entered a mark with the same différent and from the same address on 14 June 1841 (erased in 1849) was, presumably, a son. For further details, see Arminjon et al, Dictionnaire des poinçons de fabricants d'ouvrages d'or et d'argent, 1798-1875, Paris, 1991-1994, nos. 3085 (vol.I). and 3558 (vol.II)