tabatière en écaille et micromosaïque, la monture en or par Pierre-André Montauban, Paris, vers 1800

rectangulaire, le couvercle orné d'une micromosaïque romaine décorée d'une vue des chutes d'eaux et du temple de la Sybille à Tivoli, à doublure et montures en or, poinçon de maître, 3e titre tête d'ours

rectangular, the lid inset with a Roman micromosaic panel inlaid with a view of the falls and temple of the Sibyl at Tivoli, the box with gold mounts and lining, maker's mark, bear's head 3e titre

Panel with a few small gaps. Top right and bottom left corners of box well restored. Some smears on box. Pin size dents in places on linings.
"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-André Montauban was born in Paris on 22 September 1763 but is not recorded as working there until 1800 when he entered a post-revolutionary mark as bijoutier; garnisseur from 30 quai des Orfèvres. As garnisseur, he specialised in mounting miniatures or other types of panel in gold or more often, gold-lined tortoiseshell boxes such as this.

In common with the few remaining gold box makers at this date, he appears to have worked both on his own account and as a supplier of boxes to retailers such as Gibert, particularly to produce presentation boxes first for the Imperial and then after the Restoration, the Royal families.  No boxes with Montauban's maker's mark are to be found with post-1819 Paris marks so it is to be presumed that he either died or retired before then.