Live Auction 21907Bayreuth: A Connoisseur's Collection of English Silver and Gold Boxes
A LOUIS XV GOLD SNUFF-BOX
Lot 113

A LOUIS XV GOLD SNUFF-BOX

BY PAUL ROBERT (FL.1747-1779), PARIS, 1749/1750, WITH THE CHARGE OF ANTOINE LESCHAUDEL 1744-1750 AND DECHARGE MARK OF JULIEN BERTHE 1750-1756

Closed7 July 2023

Estimate

GBP 40,000–60,000

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A LOUIS XV GOLD SNUFF-BOX
BY PAUL ROBERT (FL.1747-1779), PARIS, 1749/1750, WITH THE CHARGE OF ANTOINE LESCHAUDEL 1744-1750 AND DECHARGE MARK OF JULIEN BERTHE 1750-1756
Rectangular, engraved with engine-turning of quatrefoils and sablé scrolling bands, and chased in relief with sugarcanes within borders of reeded scrolls, the inside of the cover engraved with the Prince of Wales's feathers with motto 'Ich dien', the inner flange of the lid engraved with date '20 Jan 1752', in a later black leather case stamped 'Cartier', marked on bezel, cover, body and side
2 5/8 in. (68 mm.) wide
4 oz. 17 dwt. (151 gr.)
The Prince of Wales's feathers is for Prince George William Frederick (1738-1820), Prince of Wales from 31 March 1751.

Presumably George William Frederick (1738-1820) as Prince of Wales, later King George III of Great Britain and of Ireland.
Anonymous sale; Christie's, Geneva, 16 May 1995, lot 101.

Specialist note


On 20 January 1752, an engraving celebrating the Hanoverian succession was re-issued according to an Act of Parliament to reflect the death of the then Prince of Wales, Frederick, and his son's consequent creation as Prince of Wales. The print first published in 1748 shows the then monarch King George II with Queen Caroline beneath a portrait of King George I, with below the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, surrounded by allegorical figures, among them Liberty who is presented trampling the Pope, Justice and Plenty. This snuff-box was probably a present to celebrate the passing of the title. The use of sugarcanes to decorate this box suggests that it may have been used for sweets rather than for snuff, especially as the Prince was then only 13 years old.

Paul Robert (1720-1779) entered his mark in 1747, his work is found in the Louvre, the Musée Cognacq-Jay, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Victoria and Albert Museum and Waddesdon Manor.