Lot 31
  • 31

Grand Duke Paul Petrovich and Grand Duchess Maria Fedorovna: A Swiss gold and enamel snuff box, probably 1781

Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 USD
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Description

  • gold, enamel
  • width 3 1/4 in. (8.2 cm)
oval, the body engine-turned, the borders chased with interlaced ribbons and flowers enameled white and pink on a turquoise ground, the sides with column-form reserves at the corners enameled en suite, the hinged cover with an oval reserve chased with the entwined Cyrillic monogram PM on an opaque white enameled ground and flanked by crossed branches enameled translucent green

Provenance

Sold Sotheby's 23 New York 1983, lot 107, illustrated
New York Private Collection

Condition

overall good condition; some tiny areas of loss to 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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

The future Emperor Paul I (1754-1801), toured Europe with his second wife, Maria Fedorovna in 1780 and 1781. The heir and his consort's tour was technically "incognito," the Imperial couple used the romantic alias of the "Comte et Comtesse du Nord," but still highly public and the couple acquired or were gifted with many fine objects, possibly including the offered lot. See A. Guzanov, "The Grand Tour of the Comte and the Comtesse du Nord," Pavlovsk: The Palace and the Park, Paris, 1993.