Boite en vermeil en forme de nef, poinçon de maître PFD, Paris, 1728-1729

orné de médaillons de cornes d'abondances et de coquillages sur un fond amati (étiquette PJB 67)



of boat form, chased with cornucopiae and shells within strapwork and reeded borders, on a matted background,  label PJB 67

Collection Dr Nayraud, vente, Succession d'un grand amateur (Dr N), Ader, Picard & Tajan, Paris, 18 avril 1983, lot 45.

P. Fuhring, M. Bimbenet-Privat, A. Kugel, Orfèvrerie française, La Collection Jourdan-Barry, no. 132.

the rim of lid probably bent when the right hand corner by hinge of lid was restored, otherwise in excellent crisp condition.charge and discharge marks of Jacques Cottin
"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."

Le maître orfèvre de cette rare et élégante boîte reste encore un mystère. Le poinçon fut attribué dans un premier temps à l'orfèvre Paul II Delafosse dont le poinçon n'est pas décrit par Nocq. Michèle Bimbenet-Privat a depuis démontré que le poinçon de Delafosse ne correspond pas à ce dernier, et son maître reste encore inconnu (voir Henri Nocq, Le poinçon de Paris, Paris, 1926-1931, II, p. 38 et M. Bimbenet-Privat, Les orfèvres et l'orfèvrerie de Paris au XVIIe siècle, Paris, 2002, p. 305). Pierre Dufeu pourrait être cependant un candidat idéal: il fut, d'après Nocq, d'abord apprenti puis maître travaillant l'or à Paris en 1610.

The maker of this rare and elegant box has so far remained elusive. The maker's mark was formerly identified as that of Paul II Delafosse whose mark was not described by Nocq. Modern researches by Michèle Bimbenet-Privat show that Delafosse's mark does not match this so the maker remains so far unidentified (see Henri Nocq, Le poinçon de Paris, Paris, 1926-1931, II, p. 38 and M. Bimbenet-Privat, Les orfèvres et l'orfèvrerie de Paris au XVIIe siècle, Paris, 2002, p. 305). A possible candidate, however, could be Pierre Dufeu, described by Nocq as first an apprentice and then on 3 December 1610 as a Paris master working in gold.