A European enamel snuff box, Probably Berlin from the Fromery Workshop, or Paris, circa 1750
201
A European enamel snuff box, Probably Berlin from the Fromery Workshop, or Paris, circa 1750
With gilt metal mounts, painted on both sides with scenes of depicting the story of Pyramus and Thisbe, both reserved against an applied gold trellis ground edged with scrollwork, the interior lined in velvet, with a hinged flat cover with slots, fitted with a velvet domed top with corresponding slots, 8.2cm across
Estimate:
£1,200 - 1,500
€1,400 - 1,800
US$ 1,800 - 2,300

Footnotes

  • Pyramus and Thisbe arranged to meet under a mulberry tree. Thisbe arrived first, but upon seeing a lioness with a mouth bloody from a recent kill, she fled, leaving behind her veil. When Pyramus arrived he saw the veil and blood, and thinking something has happened to Thisbe, he killed himself, splashing blood on the white mulberry fruits. Thisbe returned and finding his body she fell upon his sword. The Gods changed the colour of the mulberry fruits into red to honour their forbidden love.

Category: Decorative Arts / European Ceramics

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Contacts

Sebastian Kuhn Bonhams
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Specialist - European Ceramics