A Chelsea gold-mounted scent bottle and stopper in the form of a cat, circa 1755

modelled sitting on its haunches with a mouse in its mouth, its white fur picked out with brown markings, the gold collar mount inscribed 'CRUELLE ET BELLE' on white enamel, the mounted base painted with small flower sprigs and a larger spray to the underside,

The well-known collection of Chelsea Scent bottles formed by the late Mrs. Meyer Sassoon; The Property of Mrs. Derek Fitzgerald; 
Sotheby's London, 4th May 1965, lot 59, acquired at the sale by Winifred Williams.

Kate Foster, Scent Bottles, London, 1966, p.67, pl. 56.

Related Literature
Kate Foster, Chelsea Scent Bottles - 'Girl in a Swing' and Another Group, 1967, E.C.C Trans., Vol. 6, Pt. 3, p. 285.

There is a hairline crack to the underside of the body and some light staining to the shoulder and edge of base, lacking chain with slight damage to enamel band on collar.
"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 the 1965 sale this scent bottle model was catalogued as being unrecorded. Since then at least two other examples have appeared on the market. One from the Property of Fritz Katz was sold at Sotheby Parke Bernet, New York, 8th March 1979, lot 31, the other at Christie's London, 25th November 1991, lot 79. A related model of a cat holding a mouse in its paw, categorized by Foster, op. cit., 1967, in the earlier Girl in the Swing group, no. 14, was also in the collection of Mrs. Mayer Sassoon, sold in these rooms, 12th October 1965, lot 54.