- 65
A gold and enamel snuff box, Les Frères Toussaint, Hanau, circa 1790
Estimate
4,000 - 6,000 GBP
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Description
- A gold and enamel snuff box, Les Frères Toussaint, Hanau, circa 1790
- gold, enamel
- 9cm., 3 1/2 in. wide
of oval form, the lid three quarter opening, decorated with translucent blue enamel on a striped engine-turned ground, within delicate taille d'épargne ribbon borders, makers' mark, standard mark (bird's head), prestige Paris charge mark for 1768-1774 (rosette) and prestige Paris date letter for 1773-1774
Condition
Some tactful restorations to blue enamel
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
The brothers Charles (1720-1790) and Pierre-Etienne Toussaint (1726-1803/1806) were only recently discovered as eminent bijoutiers and gold box makers in Hanau in the 18th century. Of Huguenot descent, they arrived in Hanau from Berlin in 1752. By 1762, they had several German and foreign craftsmen working for them, making Hanau an important centre for the production of gold boxes. Their maker's mark usually comes with the same marks: the Hanau standard mark on the bezel - the bird's head similar to Paris discharge mark for 1750-1756, the rosette, modelled on the Paris charge mark for 1768-1774, and the crowned letter K, modelled on Paris date letter for 1773-1774.
Les Frères Toussaint produced a wide range of snuff boxes. Although mainly inspired by Paris models, they also produced more inventive snuff boxes, such as a cagework example mounted with Wedgwood plaques, and another whose panels are covered with a layer of translucent dark blue enamel over a superbly engraved gold relief for Prince Carl Anselm von Thurn und Taxis (L. Seelig, Golddosen des 18.Jahrunderts, 2007, fig. 39 & 40).
Les Frères Toussaint produced a wide range of snuff boxes. Although mainly inspired by Paris models, they also produced more inventive snuff boxes, such as a cagework example mounted with Wedgwood plaques, and another whose panels are covered with a layer of translucent dark blue enamel over a superbly engraved gold relief for Prince Carl Anselm von Thurn und Taxis (L. Seelig, Golddosen des 18.Jahrunderts, 2007, fig. 39 & 40).
From 1802-1803, Pierre-Etienne's sons continued the business which was still acclaimed by the German author Goethe in 1814-1815 as one of the most important of Hanau's bijouterie factories. For further information, see L. Seelig, 'Gold box production in Hanau', Going for Gold, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 2014.