French Shuttle In Enamelled Gold, Louis XVI Era

Decor enamelled with scenes on its two sides, one of which represents a young girl being crowned with flowers in a bucolic decor.

The central medallions are framed by a laurel wreath surmounted by a knot of surprising finesse, mounted in application.

They are connected by motifs in imitation of agate stone symbolizing abundance and joy.

The pierced contours are decorated with stylized roses, leaves and turquoise blue enamels.

The body is very finely pierced with stars and foliage.

Punches of the Master Goldsmith Jean Joseph Barrière.

Charge: Fleur de Bassinet for 1768-1775

M: for 1775-1776

Discharge: Helmeted Head for 1768-1775

Gold tobaccons from this Master Goldsmith are found in particular in the collections of the Louvre Museums and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Tobacco companies are more common, but shuttles are extremely rare, moreover the present seems to represent Queen Marie Antoinette when she became queen on May 10, 1774, at the death of Louis XV.

The dates of the goldsmith's hallmarks correspond exactly to this period.

Length: 11, 5 cm

Weight: 47, 7 g