boite a poudre en or et email par Rene-Antoine Bailleul, Paris, 1778-1779

ronde, émaillée de carmin opaque et opalescent pour imiter l'agate arborisée, les montures ciselées et ornées de perles d'émail, poinçon de maître, poinçons de charge et décharge de J.B. Fouache

circular, decorated in carmine and opalescent enamel to imitate agate within chased and enamelled beaded borders, maker's mark, charge and discharge marks of Jean-Baptiste Fouache

Very good order throughout. Some touching up of translucent enamel beading as is often the case.
"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."

René-Antoine Bailleul fut baptisé en 1741 et accéda à la maîtrise, rue de Harlay, en 1769, cautionné par son oncle Sébastien Chéret. Il resta à la même adresse à vendre "du bijou" jusqu'en 1781 quand il s'installa sur le quai des Orfèvres où il resta pendant dix ans. Les almanachs liste Bailleul comme bijoutier et le 31 mars 1774, des affiches circulaient offrant une récompense de quatre louis pour retrouver une boîte en or, sertie du portrait d'un jeune fille et de trophées en or de plusieurs tons. Nocq a remarqué que Bailleul ne presentât qu'une très petite quantité d'or pour être poinçonné, et conclut que l'orfèvre ne produisit que très peu, ce qui est surprenant considérant le nombre de tabatières existant encore (Le poinçon de Paris, Paris, 1926-1931, vol. I, p.44).

It is known that René-Antoine Bailleul was baptised in 1741 and became master rue de Harlay, under the patronage of his uncle, Sébastien Chéret, in 1769. He remained at the same address, selling 'le bijou' until 1781 when he moved to the quai des Orfèvres where he is recorded for the next ten years. The almanach mentions Bailleul as a jeweller and on 31st March 1774, posters were put up offering a four louis reward for the return of a lost gold box, decorated with the portrait of a girl and coloured gold trophies. Nocq notes that Bailleul presented very small quantities of gold for marking and concludes, somewhat surprisingly given the quite average number of boxes extant, that he must have produced little (Le poinçon de Paris, Paris, 1926-1931, vol. I, p.44).