A GILT-METAL-MOUNTED PURPURINE BONBONNIERE SET WITH AN ITALIAN MICROMOSAIC

A snuff-box mounted with a similar micromosaic depicting Father Time can be found on a snuff-box of contemporary Geneva manufacture in the Gilbert Collection. The Gilbert micromosaic is signed by Francesco de Poletti (1779-1854). Another micromosaic by Poletti depicting Rinaldo and Armida was sold Christie's, London, 28 November 1990, lot 30 and is said to have formerly been in the collection of Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna, in the Alexander Palace. For further information, see J. H. Gabriel, The Gilbert Collection. Micromosaics, London, 2000, p. 66, no. 14.