- 521
A gold and enamel snuff box, Pierre Theremin, St Petersburg, 1800
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- gold, enamel,
- width 8.5cm, 3 3/8 in.
rectangular with cut corners, the lid painted en plein after William Beechey's Portrait of Sir Francis Ford's Children Giving a Coin to a Beggar Boy (1793), within leaf scroll paillon and taille d'épargne borders, the sides and base of opaque sky blue enamel
Condition
The front panel and left side panel with restorations. The lid base and back panel have been lacquered, presumably to conceal restoration.
"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 charitable children are Francis Ford and Mary Ford whose father, Sir Francis Ford (1758-1801) of Ember Court, Thames Ditton, Surrey, was a wealthy politician and the owner of extensive property in the West Indies. The original painting is at Tate Britain (T06734). The portraitist Sir William Beechey (1753-1839) became Queen Charlotte's official portrait painter in 1793; his full-length portraits of her and King George III hang in the Grand Staircase at Buckingham Palace (RCIN 405422/3). His painting of George III and the Prince of Wales Reviewing Troops earned him a knighthood in 1798; it was the only painting destroyed in the Windsor Castle fire of 1992, being too large to move from the State Dining Room. Sir William was the father of 21 children by his two wives.