Antiquorum in Love, Impotant Horology...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Nov 16, 1997

LOT 19

Unsigned, Geneva, circa 1785. "L'Amour contraint" Fine 18K gold and enamel rectangular snuff box.

CHF 7,000 - 9,000

USD 5,000 - 6,200

Double body, rectangular with canted corners, the lid with paillonne border is decorated by a fine rectangular painted scene flanked by two obelisks over a turquoise ground. The scene is apparently inspired by the celebrated Avare, written by Moliere. Turquoise enamelled band with white champleve enamelled borders, the canted corners with paillonne vases of flowers over blue ground. The base decorated en suite and centred by a bunch of corn on a plate, flanked by branches and topped with a blue ribbon inscribed: L'abondance. Prestige French marks. Dim. 90 x 49 x 17 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 18

Spotted

Notes

The inscription on the base : LAbondance, confirms the opinion that the scene on the lid was inspired by Moliere's L'Avare, in which Harpagon tries to compel his daughter to marry a rich man in order to ensure opulence to his family. On the scene painted on the lid, Elise begs her father not to make her marry Ansehn.