- 103
A FOUR-COLOUR GOLD SNUFF BOX, L.P. BARBIER OR N.P. BRICART, PARIS, 1774/5 |
Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- 6.5cm., 2 1/2 in. wide
oval, the lid with a central oval panels chased with amorous trophies, the lid, sides and base moiré engine-turned within acanthus borders, maker's mark, charge marks of J. Alaterre and J.B. Fouache, date letter L for 1774/5, discharge and contremarque of J.B. FouacheOnly the second two letters of the makers mark are legible which means that it could be either that of Louis-Philippe Barbier or Nicolas-Pierre Bricart, both of whom are known to have made gold boxes. Barbier had entered his mark in 1764, sponsored by Jean Lambert Payen, another gold worker, but died in 1777. Bricart entered his mark in July 1774, a few days after the commencement of date letter L. In 1776 he was imprisoned for illegally marking snuff boxes of below-standard gold but evidently was allowed to continue in business as he is last recorded in 1807.
Condition
Excellent crisp condition. Interior base and side with Alaterre marks; lid and rim with Fouache marks. This is perfectly normal for a changeover year.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot provided by Sotheby's. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colours and shades which are different to the lot's actual colour and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because Sotheby's is not a professional conservator or restorer but rather the condition report is a statement of opinion genuinely held by Sotheby's. For that reason, Sotheby's condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot provided by Sotheby's. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colours and shades which are different to the lot's actual colour and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because Sotheby's is not a professional conservator or restorer but rather the condition report is a statement of opinion genuinely held by Sotheby's. For that reason, Sotheby's condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot.