A FRENCH EMPIRE GOLD, ENAMEL AND GEM-SET PRESENTATION SNUFF BOX
Lot 6 PROPERTY OF A MID-ATLANTIC COLLECTION

A FRENCH EMPIRE GOLD, ENAMEL AND GEM-SET PRESENTATION SNUFF BOX

MARK OF ETIENNE-LUCIEN BLERZY, PARIS, CIRCA 1810; RETAILED BY NITOT ET FILS

Closed19 May 2010

Price Realised

USD 116,500

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A FRENCH EMPIRE GOLD, ENAMEL AND GEM-SET PRESENTATION SNUFF BOX
MARK OF ETIENNE-LUCIEN BLERZY, PARIS, CIRCA 1810; RETAILED BY NITOT ET FILS
Oval, the base and sides finely painted with enamel landscapes against an opalescent ground, the cover finely chiselled with anthemia and acanthus against a matted ground centering an enamelled boss with diamond-set monogram ML, the borders with deep blue enamel details, marked inside base, cover, side, and bezel; the outer bezel with discharge and engraved signature No. 60. Etienne Nitot et Fils Jouailliers Bijoutieres ordinaires de Sa Majesté l'Impératrice et Reine, à Paris
3½ in. (8.9 cm.) long

Sotheby's, New York, 30 April-1 May, 2003, lot 83

Specialist note

The monogram ML is that of Marie Louise of Austria, who married Napoleon Bonaparte in 1810. This box was apparently presented on the occasion of her becoming Imperial Majesty and Queen in that year.