Superb Snuff Box In Gold And Tortoiseshell With Temple Of Love Dieppe (?). 18th Century 18th

Superb and moving romantic box dating from the 18th century.

The box is round, in brown tortoiseshell. It is rimmed in gold at its base, on the lid and at the opening.

The lid is decorated with a magnificent antique composition under very curved glass.
At the center of this composition is a temple of love with four Corinthian columns supporting a dome, the whole being very finely openwork. The base is inscribed “I you M”.
This type of temple is typical of Dieppe production in the 18th century but it could also be Parisian work.

The temple is surrounded by two trees made of mother-of-pearl beads and pearl compositions.

This allegory of love is on transparent blue glass that sits on top of silver foil.

There is an old collector's label in the bottom of the box.

The strappings are punched:
. Illegible goldsmith's mark
. Jurande hallmark: lowercase p crowned for the year 1789 in Paris
. Discharge mark for the same year: one eye


Magnificent love box made from precious materials in the 18th century. This type of box was offered by a gentleman to his beloved as a token of his love, sometimes during a trip taking them away. It is a very high quality box as evidenced by the fineness of the engraving of the temple, the preciousness of the trees made of pearls or the size of the large gold hoops.

5.7 cm in diameter
3.1 cm high

65.75 grams gross


Good condition. Shortcomings in romantic composition. Non-through chip on the inner edge of the glass. Some scale eaters. Friction under the base rim.



Hand delivery in Paris or sending by insured Colissimo.

France: 15€
Europe: 20€
World: 35€