A gold-mounted mother-of-pearl and tortoiseshell snuff box, Paris, 1738/1739

rectangular, the lid inlaid with chased gold scrolls and an urn within mother-of pearl rocailles and opulent flower bouquets and garlands, an exotic bird to the right, the sides inlaid with sprays of flowers and fruit on gold stems, the base with an overflowing flower basket from which a mother-of-pearl parrot is picking grapes, a small butterfly to each corner, reeded gold mounts and slender thumbpiece, charge and discharge marks of Louis Robin (1738-1744), Paris date letter y for 1738/1739, later French control mark,

6,9 cm; 2¾ in. wide

overall weight 108 gr, 3,47 oz

Please note that this lot contains restricted materials. Sotheby's is not able to assist buyers with the shipment of any lots containing restricted materials into the U.S.A. Buyer's inability to export or import these lots cannot justify a delay in payment or a sale's cancellation.