Antiquorum in Love, Impotant Horology...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Nov 16, 1997

LOT 20

Soiron pinxit, circa 1795. "La curiosite fatale" Magnificent 18K gold and enamel snuff box.

CHF 18,000 - 20,000

USD 13,000 - 15,000

Sold: CHF 25,128

Double body rectancgular with canted corners, the lid with a very fine enamel panel, painted with a scene depicting Psyche looking at Cupid as he sleeps despite her promise, within a gold frame chased with foliage decoration, side and base panels of blue flinque enamel. Signed below, in the centre. Dim. 95 x 69 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image

Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good

Case: 18

Spotted

Notes

Jean-Francois Soiron (1756-1812), was born in Geneva on 18 August 1756. He was apprentice to Jacques Teulon in Geneva where he entered in partnership with D. Frainet and E. Fregent and later became partner of Grand who came from Holland. hi 1796, his partner was L.A. Fabre, just before leaving for Paris were he set-up on his own in 1800. At the .Salon de Paris in 1800 he exhibited three portr aits and a vase of flowers; in 1804 several portraits were exhibited in the same Salon and in 1806 a fine portrait of Napoleon riding his horse and one of Vivan- Denon; in 1808 he exhibited portraits of Napoleon and Josephine and several enamel paintings and, for the last time in 1810, portraits and enamel scenes. He was short of money and of ill-health during the last two years of his life.