A group of three two-colour gold étuis-à-cire, Paris, last quarter of the 18th century

A group of three two-colour gold étuis-à-cire, Paris, last quarter of the 18th century,

all of tubular form, the first by Nicolas Durier, Paris, 1782-1789, engine-turned with mullets on a reeded ground within beaded borders, the matrix engraved with a coat of arms, maker's mark, charge and second discharge marks of Henri Clavel, later French control mark; the second, Paris, 1780, with grain d'orge engine-turning within chased acanthus and entrelac-de-rubans borders on a sablé ground, charge mark of Jean-Baptiste Fouache (1774-1780) and first discharge mark of Henri Clavel (1780-1782); the third, 19th centry in late 18th century Paris taste, decorated with panels of engine-turned pellets and reeding, within twisted borders, French prestige marks including maker's mark IA below fleur-de-lys, the différent two hearts, second charge and discharge mark of Henri Clavel (1782-1789), Paris date letter Q for 1779;

11.2cm., 4⅜in. high to 12.1cm., 4¾in. high

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