boîte en argent et or de trois tons, probablement par Charles Le Bastier, Paris, 1768-1769

ovale, décorée de trophées musicaux sur un fond rayonnant ceint d'une frise imitant la corde, poinçon de maitre partiellement effacé, l'intérieur de la boîte numéroté : 466[?], (étiquette PJB 120)



oval, decorated with musical trophies on a sunray ground within cablework borders, the interior of the base numbered: 466[?], maker's mark rubbed, charge and discharge marks of Julien Alaterre, Label PJB 120

Rim of base repaired, hinge redone and extremely worn. Would not recommend purchase without viewing.
"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."

Charles Le Bastier, son of a Paris mercer of the same name, was apprenticed on 3 October 1738 at the age of 14, to Gabriel Vougny (see lot 60), marchand-orfèvre-joaillier. With the sponsorship of Jean Moynat, himself a noted gold box maker, Le Bastier became master on 20 December1754. He worked from the same premises in the rue Thévenot until last recorded in 1783. Le Bastier was a successful and prolific maker of gold boxes who also supplied other retailers such as Jean-François Garand and Grancher of Du Petit Dunkerque.

Among Le Bastier's early boxes are included a number of silver boxes of various shapes, decorated on each face with chased ornament in coloured golds in the same manner as the present snuff box. For example a rectangular box now in the Metropolitan Museum is applied with ruin cartouches and baskets of fruit (48.187.382, C. Le Corbeiller, European and American Snuff Boxes 1730-1830, London, 1966, no. 422). Le Bastier was also one of the few Parisian box makers to number his boxes in various series possibly matching the different ways they were retailed. Certainly the silver boxes seem to be numbered in a different sequence to those in gold reaching a higher figure more quickly suggesting that more were produced although fewer seem to have survived.