Live Auction 5377Centuries of Style: Silver, European Ceramics, Portrait Miniatures and Gold Boxes
A SWISS PARCEL-ENAMELLED GOLD BOX
Lot 97

A SWISS PARCEL-ENAMELLED GOLD BOX

BY ALEXANDRE MAGNIN (FL.1812-1830), MARKED, GENEVA, CIRCA 1820

Closed31 May 2012

Price Realised

GBP 4,375

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A SWISS PARCEL-ENAMELLED GOLD BOX
BY ALEXANDRE MAGNIN (FL.1812-1830), MARKED, GENEVA, CIRCA 1820
flattened rectangular box with tapering convex sides, the cover and base panels with vertical wavy engine-turning, the bulging sides stamped with scrolling foliage parcel-enamelled en taille d'épargne in opaque sky-blue, slightly raised wavy gold thumbpiece, the inside later fitted as a powder compact, the interior cover set with a bevelled mirror
3 in. (75 mm.) wide

Christie's, London, 10 December 2002, lot 232, the maker incorrectly identified as André Magnin.

Specialist note

Alexandre Magnin was born in Geneva in 1786, the son of François Magnin and Jeanne Françoise Girod. He first used this mark from 1812 and when he was re-registered in November 1815 he was mistakenly listed as André. He worked on rue Jean-Jaques Rousseau 45 and when he died in 1830 his business was continued by his widow Fanely, née Gentil, and their eldest son Charles who was the last goldsmith in Geneva to specifically make gold boxes.