A jewelled parcel-gilt silver and enamel vesta box, Jules Wièse for François-Désiré Froment-Meurice, Paris, circa 1848

upright, rectangular with cut corners, each side with oval medallions chased with incendiary allusions: the chariot of Hyperion and a Vestal Virgin, set with variously-shaped pink gems, on a turquoise ground, the spring-loaded lid surmounted by a putto on a globe with the signs of the Zodiac, opening to reveal four silver-gilt compartments, scroll handles surmounted by a bird of paradise, the symbol of love, four silver-gilt dragon supports, unmarked

Sotheby's London, 10 March 1994, lot 90.
The Simon & Alan Hartman Collection
Private English Collection

overall good condition, heavy and delicate.
"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."

Jules Wièse (1818-1910), originally a pupil of the goldsmith Hossauer in Berlin, migrated to Paris where he became a workman of Jean-Valentin Morel and then joined the celebrated Parisian goldsmith François-Désiré Froment-Meurice (1802- 1855) as a chef d'atelier and later a partner. It appears that Wièse set up his own establishment with twenty-five workmen in 1844 but still worked exclusively for his former employer and ran the workshop in 1855 after the death of the latter.

Froment-Meurice was qualified as the ‘Cellini of his age’ by Victor Hugo, and rapidly developed a most influential worldwide clientele, including the Shah of Iran, the Pope, the Tsar of Russia, the Bonaparte family, the Royal Orleans family and Queen Victoria. In 1848, the Queen acquired directly from Froment-Meurice an identical match holder to the present one, unmarked, for the 29th birthday of Prince Albert. It is now the Royal Collections, RCIN 4114.