A gold-mounted mother-of-pearl, burgau shell and hardstone snuff box, Barnabé Sageret, Paris, 1749/1750

rectangular, all sides formed of mother-of-pearl panels applied with ‘chinoiserie’ subjects in tinted shells, carnelian and gold, the lid decorated with a ‘chinoiserie’ figure holding an umbrella with a turquoise cabochon finial, seated on a gold throne, flanked by two further figures, one holding a falcon, the other serving tea on a gold tray, burgau shell palm trees with carnelian coconuts on either side, against an engraved architectural setting, the base with a parrot perched on a bold scroll, another bird resting on parts of an elegant volière, surrounded by an umbrella, a palm tree and a pine-tree applied to a mother-of-pearl ground engraved with architectural elements, the reeded gold mounts and thumbpiece chased with scrollwork, maker's mark, charge and discharge marks of Antoine Leschaudel, Paris date letter I, in fitted red Morocco case,

8 cm. wide (3 1/8 in)

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