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An important antique, Louis XV French 'Tabatiere' or snuff box,…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Auckland
Date:
21-Nov-2021
Lot No.
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Description:
An important antique, Louis XV French 'Tabatiere' or snuff box, circa mid-late 18th century. Oval shaped with flat sides and hinged lid, heavily decorated with horns, torches, scrolls and floral motif. 20ct gold. Weight 143.80 grams. Measurements 80.8 x 59.9 x 28.5 mm. Gemmologist's report. In 18th-century Europe, boxes played a key role in the conduct of social affairs. They were produced in large numbers in France, Switzerland, Germany, England, Russia, Austria and Italy, and even in Sweden and Denmark. The popularisation of snuff in the second half of the 17th century led to the use of the tabatiere, or snuff-box. By the 18th century, the gold snuff-box was the height of functional fashion. The golden years of the snuff box starts in France around 1740. Snuff boxes were of high importance. Early versions were little more than highly valuable commodities that could trade hands with ease in substitution for cash. Early examples virtually don't exist today because as soon as one was received it was broken down for its components and converted to cash. By 1740 snuff box making was its own industry. Some goldsmiths exclusively made snuff boxes. You had to be a part of guild in order to make snuff boxes in France.
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Unclassified