A Gold Presentation Snuff Box, Continental, circa 1808
Auction Closed
June 17, 06:12 PM GMT
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
rectangular with scalloped front, the lid decorated with a semi-circular panel chased with roses and butterflies on a sablé ground, surrounded with chased vine leaves and outer husk borders, the sides with a flattened coin pattern, the base with ribbon-tied cornucopiae crowned with a dove below sunburst chasing, on a reeded ground, the interior of the lid engraved with a presentation inscription reading: 'Napoléon Empereur / au / Maréchal Mortier, Duc de Trévise, 1808', maker's mark F incuse flanked by two coronets,
Length 3 7/8 in., 9.8 cm.
Édouard Mortier, Duke of Treviso (1768-1835), was a French military commander who fought in the French Revolutionary Wars and in the Napoleonic Wars. It was during the War of the Fourth Coalition that Mortier was awarded this snuffbox. Following his victories in the Electorate of Hesse, Mortier further distinguished himself in the Battle of Friedland, leading the Grande Armée to victory over the Russian Imperial Army. This was a decisive French victory, leading to the negotiations behind the Peace of Tilsit, signed by Napoleon I and Tsar Alexander I in 1807. The following year, Napoleon I rewarded Montier for his service offering Montier the title of ‘Duke of Treviso’: an office instigated by Napoleon in 1804, reserved for principal dignitaries and Marshals of the Empire.