A two-colour gold and micromosaic snuff box, Les Freres Toussaint, Hanau, circa 1800

rectangular with cut corners, the lid set with a micromosaic view of Pavlovsk Palace park in Russia, perhaps by Domenico Moglia, within a rose gold frame engraved with acanthus, the yellow gold engine-turned sides and base within borders chased with flowerheads on a matted ground, maker's mark, French prestige marks including date letter K and shell discharge, St Petersburg import mark for assay master Dmitri Twerskoi, 1834-1850

overall very good condition, minute hairline cracks throughout the micromosaic.
"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."

The view, probably based on a print, shows the gardens of Pavlovsk, with the obelisk to the right, Marienthal lake and the Slavyanka river in the foreground, with the temple of the Three Graces and the roofs of the palace behind. The palace had been built by Paul I with the park designed by the Scottish architects Charles and James Cameron. In the early 19th century it was considered the most perfect example of the English style of landscape gardening in existence.

Domenico Moglia (1780-1862) is known to have worked in St Petersburg for several years between around 1816 and 1819. The Russian micromosaicist Georgi Wekler (1800-1861) who trained in Moglia's workshop in St Petersburg, is known to have executed a number of views of the Imperial family's estates, including a view of Pavlovsk from a slightly different angle, illustrated by Jeanette Hanisee Gabriel, Micromosaics, Private Collections, 2016, no. 162, p. 202. The present micromosaic with its fine tesserae is more in the style of Moglia than Wekler.