ANTIQUE 18thC GERMAN ROYAL 18k GOLD & ENAMEL SNUFF BOX, FRERES SOUCHAY c.1770
18th Century German Royal 18k gold snuff box, the lid set with an enamel plaque depicting Venus & Adonis, engine-turned decoration on lid, sides and base, the borders of scarlet translucent enamel with white enamel pellets and laurel leaves, the pilasters hung with wreaths,
Hallmarked with French prestige marks including makers' mark for Freres Souchay, date letter S and charge of Julien Alaterre (active 1768-75) with shell 18ct mark (750), the rim with later initials in gothic script: St.A. / A.W.
REFERENCE NUMBER: A5165
DESCRIPTION
Antique 18th Century German Royal presentation 18k gold snuff box, the lid set with an enamel plaque depicting Venus & Adonis, engine-turned decoration on lid, sides and base, the borders of scarlet translucent enamel with white enamel pellets and laurel leaves, the pilasters hung with wreaths,
Hallmarked with French prestige marks including makers' mark for Freres Souchay, date letter S and charge of Julien Alaterre (active 1768-75) with shell 18ct mark (750 standard), the rim with later initials in gothic script: St.A. / A.W.
The box was given by Frederick VI (1768-1839) , King of Denmark, to his minister Poul Christian von Stemann (1766-1855); thence by descent, sale, Christie's Geneva, 14-15 November 1983, lot 555. Stemann was a Danish politician with deeply-held conservative views. As a local official he had attracted the attention of Frederick VI who in 1827 appointed him as President of the Danish Chancellery and Minister of Juridical Affairs, positions he was to hold for some 20 years despite popular demands for liberal reform.
CONDITION
In Excellent Condition - No Damage.
SIZE
Height: 3cm
Width: 8 x 6cm
Weight: 113g