An unusual pearl-set gold and enamel snuff box, Hanau or Geneva, circa 1790

Property of an Italian private collection

An unusual pearl-set gold and enamel snuff box, Hanau or Geneva, circa 1790

oval, the lid enameled with a young couple flanking an opulent floor vase decorated in gold filigree on a braided gold base, decorated with split pearls and hung with gold paillon garlands, containing a fine paillon flower bouquet in gold, blue and red enamel on translucent blue ground, framed by a split pearl rim within two narrow opaque pale blue enamel borders, the sides and base enameled in translucent dark blue over zig-zag engine-turning within further white bead borders and elaborate paillon borders of alternating tiny hearts and trefoils in white and pale blue enamel, the dividers with white taille d'épargne birds on pedestals, maker’s mark B incuse only,

7.9cm., 3⅛in. wide