tabatière de présentation impériale en or, pierres précieuses et émail par Alexandre-Raoul Morel, Paris, vers 1850

rectangulaire, le couvercle orné d'une miniature ovale de Napoléon III par Louis Henri de Fontenay, signée, vers 1852, portant l'uniforme de Brigadier Général et les ordres militaires dont celui de la Légion d'Honneur, bordé de diamants, les angles également ornés de quatre diamants, le fond, la bâte incurvée et le dessous gravés de rinceaux de plumes encadrant des panneaux guillochés, l'intérieur gravé d'une inscription de présentation, poinçon de maître et 3e garantie après 1838, numerotée 970

rectangular, the lid applied with an oval miniature of Napoleon III, by Louis Henri de Fontenay, signed, wearing the uniform of a Brigadier General with orders including the Sash and Star of the Legion of Honour, enclosed within a rose diamond border, the corners with four further collet-set rose diamonds, the ground, waisted sides and base delicately engraved with plumy scrolls around panels of engine-turning, the interior with presentation inscription, maker's mark and post-1838 3me garantie, the rim numbered: 970

Generally very good and crisp condition; scrape to glass over miniature over right cheek; lid lining crimped near base and with some pinprick size denting.
"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."

Alexandre-Raoul Morel, fils de fabricant de tabatière Gabriel-Raoul, naquit à Paris en 1801. Il insculpa ses deux poinçons avec le même différent que son père, une oreille, sis au 7 rue Neuve-des Bons-Enfants, le premier en 1833 pour la tabatière et le second en 1849 pour la bijouterie. Ce dernier fut biffé en 1850. 

Le miniaturiste Louis Henri de Fontenay (1800-1852), élève d'Autissier, vécut et travailla essentiellement à Amsterdam bien que né de parents français. Entre 1824 et 1827, il s'installa à la Haye où il fut nommé peintre de la Cour. Il revint cependant durant les dernières années de sa vie à Paris, à partir de 1850, époque à laquelle il a probablement peint cette miniature.

Le couvercle est gravé: Presented / by the / Emperor Napoleon III / to / John Waller Esq. / at St Cloud / 25th July 1853;
The Property of Mrs P. Hawkins, sale, Sotheby's, 3 juillet 1961, lot 122.

John Waller était un célèbre vendeur d'autographes et manuscrits historiques, dans Fleet Street, à Londres. D'après les mémoires du Comte Guiseppe Orsi ( Recollections of the Last Half-Century, Londres, 1881), Napoléon I avait demandé à Innocent Louis Goubaut de dessiner le baptême du roi de Rome. Le dessin au crayon, mesurant un peu moins de deux mètres, disparut du Château des Tuileries lors de la Restauration de Louis XVIII. Quelques années plus tard, il fut mis aux enchères à Londres et c'est l'agent de Thomas Hamlet, célèbre joaillier et orfèvre, qui le reconnut et poussa son patron à l'acheter, alors que ce dernier n'y voyait qu'une vieille gravure poussièreuse. A la mort d'Hamlet, le dessin fut acquis par John Waller qui le présenta  à Napoléon III, fraîchement élu Empereur. Cette tabatière aurait été offerte à cette occasion en guise de remerciement.

Alexandre-Raoul Morel, son of the gold box-maker, Gabriel-Raoul, was born in Paris in 1801. He entered two marks with his father’s ‘oreille’ différent from 7 rue Neuve-des Bons-Enfants, the first in 1833 for ‘la tabatière’ and the second in 1849, for ’la bijouterie’. This last was cancelled the following year in 1850.

The miniature artist Louis Henri de Fontenay (1800-1852), a pupil of Autissier, mainly lived and worked in Amsterdam although of French parentage. Between 1824 and 1827 he moved to the Hague where he was appointed Court painter. His last years, from 1850, were spent in Paris where presumably he painted this miniature.

 

The inscription reads: Presented / by the / Emperor Napoleon III / to / John Waller Esq. / at St Cloud / 25th July 1853;
The Property of Mrs P. Hawkins, sale, Sotheby's, 3 juillet 1961, lot 122.

John Waller was a prominent vendor of autographs and historical manuscripts in London's Fleet Street. According to the memors of Count Giuseppe Orsi (Recollections of the Last Half-Century, London, 1881), Napoleon I had commissioned Innocent Louis Goubaud, to record the christening of the King of Rome. The detailed pencil drawing, measuring six and a hal feet, disappeared from the Tuileries following the restoration of Louis XVIII. Some years later it came up for auction in London and was recognised by the agent of Thomas Hamlet, the celebrated jeweller and goldsmith, who recommended it to his patron who at first glance had dismissed it as a dusty old engraving. On Hamlet's death the picture was purchased by John Waller who presented it to the newly-elected Emperor Napoleon III at Saint-Cloud. It is to be presumed that this box was a token of gratitude on this occasion.