Snuff box with an enamel miniature of "Esther and Ahasuerus"
Snuff box with an enamel miniature of "Esther and Ahasuerus"
France, Paris
1807–1809
Jean-George Rémond
Gold, enamel, pearls; en plein painted enamel, translucent enamel over engine-turning (basse-taille), and engine-turning (guilloché)
1.9 x 9.0 x 6.5 cm
Stamped with the maker's mark of J.-G. Rémond; an unofficial 18-karat gold assay punch mark; and a Paris large guarantee mark for the period 1798–1809
Gold snuff box modelled in the form of a book, featuring a hinged lid. The exterior of the lid features an enamel miniature depicting the swooning of Esther before King Ahasuerus, executed after the original painting by Domenico Zampieri (Il Domenichino) created circa 1650s–1680s. The miniature is framed by a split-pearl border. The back panel of the box simulates a book spine with six raised bands accented with pearls, alternating with oval medallions centering floral rosettes against a black enamel ground. The side and front panels simulate the edges of a book's pages. The base is decorated with a panel featuring a trellis-work (treillage) pattern filled with lozenges, overlaid with translucent blue enamel.
1103MC33/ДПИ