A Gold and Enamel Snuff Box, Joseph-Etienne Blerzy, Paris, 1788/1789

oval, the lid applied with an oval enamel plaque painted with Sappho Composing an Ode to Venus with Cupid looking over her shoulder after Angelica Kauffmann, on a dark blue enamel ground inlaid with gold paillon stars, framed by a raised border of green, enamel leaves alternating with white beads and stylised tulips on a sablé ground, the sides and base similarly decorated, maker's mark, second charge and discharge mark of Henri Clavel, Paris date letter P88, the left rim numbered: 863, later Austrian control mark

Length 3 ¼ in.

8.3 cm