A LOUIS XV FOUR-COLOR GOLD SPYGLASS OR LONGUE VUE

Mathieu Coiny represents the third generation of a family of goldsmiths, with his father and grandfather both working in Versailles. His brothers Joseph-Urbain and Jacques-Toussaint were also goldsmiths in Paris. Matthieu Coiny became master, endorsed by his brother, in 1755 and worked on the Pont Notre-Dame. He was elected garde of the corporation of goldsmiths in 1771-1772, and his studio was ranked in 1774 in 116th position among the goldsmiths of Paris. His boxes can now be found in the collections of the Louvre, the Wallace Collection and the Metropolitan Museum.