A gold-mounted oriental lacquer and tortoiseshell snuff box, Pierre-Guillaume Sallot, Paris, 1781

oval, the lid inset with a panel lacquered with pine and fruit trees, the sides with trailing wistaria, the base with cranes on an island, corded gold mounts, the interior tortoiseshell-lined, maker's mark, charge and discharge marks of Henri Clavel

Generally very good condition. Tortoiseshell lining cracked at back below hinge but not serious. Upper lid mount is slightly unevenly mounted and has one small hole and a couple of bruises.
"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."

Pierre-Guillaume Sallot was apprenticed to Louis Saltret in Paris on 6 February 1737 (for a silver snuff box by Saltret, see Collection Raymond & Pierre Jourdan-Barry, Sotheby's Paris, 18 April 2012, lot 77). Then living in the rue de la Savonnerie, he became master in 1750, sponsored by Jean-Charles Ducrollay, and entered as maker's mark the initials PGS with a crown différent. He is recorded as working, in both gold and silver, at various addresses until 1793. Henri Nocq noted that although Sallot's différent is described as a crown, only the mark seen on the present example, PGS a star, is to be found on objects (Le poinçon de Paris, Paris, 1926-1931, vol. IV, p. 10).