TWO SILVER-GILT AND GILT-METAL MOUNTED TORTOISESHELL SNUFF BOXES, FRENCH, EARLY 19TH CENTURY

Restricted Species

Auction Closed

January 21, 06:17 PM GMT

Estimate

1,500 - 2,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF LORD AND LADY FAIRHAVEN

TWO SILVER-GILT AND GILT-METAL MOUNTED TORTOISESHELL SNUFF BOXES, FRENCH, EARLY 19TH CENTURY

both rectangular, the first inset with a miniature of a stag hunt, by J. Delage, circa 1800, apparently unmarked; the second with cattle grazing by a river, by the same artist, circa 1800, maker's mark rubbed

9cm., 3½in. wide

(2)

This lot contains ivory and other restricted materials. Sotheby's recommends that buyers check with their own government regarding any importation requirements prior to placing a bid. Please note that Sotheby's will not assist buyers with CITES licence applications where a buyer elects to either collect or arrange their own shipping, nor will Sotheby's assist with the international movement of ivory/rhino horn by air, either as freight or through hand carry. Sotheby's shipping will only assist in shipping the lot to either domestic UK or EU destinations, where delivery is made by road transport. A buyer's inability to export or import these lots cannot justify a delay in payment or sale cancellation.

The attribution to the artist J. Delage is based on comparison with a signed miniature in a private collection. A watercolour of Mont Blanc from near Servoz, signed and dated 1797, suggests the artist was active in the east of France (Christie’s London, 9 April 1990, lot 104). The technique employed, a combination of blocked in fields of colour to give general definition and neat dashes of contrasting shades to suggest detail, is reminiscent of that used by the enamel painters working in nearby Geneva at the same date.