A PARCEL-GILT SILVER, LACQUER AND ENAMEL SNUFF BOX, FRANCE, MID 19TH CENTURY AND A 'VERNIS MARTIN' BONBONNIERE, CIRCA 1750-60 | A parcel-gilt silver, lacquer and enamel snuff box, France, mid 19th century and a 'vernis Martin' bonbonniere, circa 1750-60

the first oval, in 18th century taste, the lid applied with an earlier oval enamel plaque depicting a mother attempting to read to two recalcitrant infants, probably Geneva, circa 1795, in gold and pearl frame, the ground, sides and base striped in green lacquer, the interior gilt, maker's mark illegible, boar's head post-1838 control, the front rim further struck apparently with a capital C or G below a star, 7.2cm., 2 7/8 in. wide; the other circular, the lid painted with a pastoral subject in the manner of François Boucher, the sides with swagged garlands of flowers, the base with a bouquet of summer flowers, on a foiled ground impressed with wavy concentric rings, 8.2 cm., 3 1/4. in. diam.

Princess Mathilde (1820-1904);
Prince Napoléon Louis Joseph (1864-1932), sole legatee of Princesse Mathilde;
Prince Louis Napoléon (1914-1997)

Tarnished so would benefit from professional cleaning, lacquer crazed, pearls discoloured; the second has been damaged, revarnished and new varnish is crackled, very minor chipping to rims and restoration around rims.
"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."