ANTIQUE 19thC SWISS 18k GOLD & ENAMEL SNUFF BOX, GUIDON, REMOND, GIDE & CO c1800
Antique early-19th Century Exceptional Swiss 18k gold & enamel snuff box, rectangular form with gently angled corners, this exquisite piece features sides and underside adorned in a delicate light turquoise enamel, embellished with undulating motifs and intricate taille d'épargne urns. Its lid is adorned with a border of lustrous freshwater pearls, while the cover boasts an octagonal enamel plaque likely painted by Jean-Louis Richter, depicting Helios, the revered sun god of Greek mythology. In the ancient Greek belief system, Helios was revered as the charioteer of the sun, guiding its journey across the sky to bring forth day and night. Depicted with a radiant crown and driving a majestic horse-drawn chariot, Helios symbolises the brilliance and power of the sun. Hallmarked with a makers mark for Guidon, Remond, Gide & Co, (active in Geneva, 1792-1801).
Reference Number: A10259
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Guidon, Rémond, Gide & Cie. Jean-Georges Rémond, was active in Geneva from 1783 until approximately 1820. He became Master Goldsmith on 22 December 1783 and founded Georges Rémond & Cie. in 1790. The company specialised in the production of snuff-boxes, snuff-boxes with watches, singing bird-boxes, form watches and musical boxes. Their work was of excellent quality and often with sumptuous decoration. Rémond established an impressive international enterprise, with offices and production facilities in Geneva and Hanau. He assembled around him a group of very talented artisans, all working to create items of the very highest quality. During the course of his career he registered at least five companies; when the term of one expired, he simply created another, often with the same partners.
Guidon, Gide & Blondet fils of Geneva conducted business from 1801 until 1804; the company was founded when the company Guidon, Rémond, Gide & Co. closed down on 1 January 1801 and the two partners henceforth traded as Rémond, Lamy & Co. and Guidon Gide & Blondet, respectively.
In the first years of the nineteenth century, the company produces brilliant singing bird boxes, embellished with pearls that were intended for the Chinese market. The Napoleonic conquest imposes the French guarantee system and influences in the Geneva production. In 1806, the factory employs a hundred artisans and the production of the Fabrique rayon in Paris and London but also in Germany, Russia, Turkey and China. Jean-Georges Rémond died on February 11, 1830 in his hometown. His work, of a very high quality, was characterized by the use of the application of a translucent enamel on a gold surface guilloche and surrounded by a border of pearls. His snuff boxes were often offered as a diplomatic gifts. It is also said that if one wanted to receive a favor from Cambaceres it was enough to offer him a snuffbox by this renowned goldsmith.
CONDITION
In Great Condition - Wear expected with age. Please refer to photographs.
SIZE
Height: 2 cm // 0.79 in
Width: 7.5 cm // 2.95 in
Depth: 4.5 cm // 1.77 in
Weight: 69.4 g // 2.45 oz