boîte en vermeil par Gabriel Vougny, Paris, 1734-1735

de forme cartouche aplatie, le couvercle ciselé de putti taquinant un léopard, le dessous d'un putto chasseur avec son chien, les bordures ornées de rinceaux, entrelacs et coquilles (étiquette PJB 76)



of flat cartouche form, the cover chased with putti teasing a leopard, the base with a putto huntsman and his hound, scroll, strapwork and shell borders, charge and discharge marks, label: PJB 76

base worn commensurate with age, and central panel with lid also worn,
"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."

Gabriel Vougny became master in 1719 as one of the 5 master goldsmiths admitted annually in Paris by payment and without the requisite qualifications,  following a royal statute of 26 May 1714. He entered his mark on 23 January 1719 from the rue du Grand Hurleur, sponsored by Octave Lescardé. In 1721 he took on Pierre-Nicolas Compant as apprentice and in 1738 the celebrated gold box maker Charles Le Bastier. He had worked at various addresses, following a slight and unexplained hiccup in 1727 when the gardes had removed his mark and suspended him for a year. Following Vougny's death in 1752 a sale was held of his furniture and effects including 'un grand nombre de tabatières d'or, d'argent doré et autres marchandises, outils et ustensiles de joaillier'.

Interestingly this is one of the first boxes in the collection which is fully marked on lid, sides and base following the change of law passed in March 1734. Previously snuff boxes had only one set of marks on a side as this was the only part taken to be assayed. See Pierre Le Roy, Statuts et privilèges du corps des marchands Orfèvres-Joyailliers de la ville de Paris, reproduction 2003, pp. 123/4.