Curved Gold And Enamel Pocket Snuff Box, Paris, Circa 1838–1850, Master Goldsmith “am”

18K gold, translucent blue enamel, French guarantee and maker’s marks. Weight: 67 g.
A rare curved “pocket” snuff box in 18K gold, made in Paris between circa 1838 and 1850, attributable to a master goldsmith identified by the initials “AM” within a lozenge, likely Antoine Maillard or Antoine Maillet, both active in Paris during the first half of the 19th century.
The exterior features vertically fluted surfaces, while the borders are enriched with engraved foliate motifs filled with translucent blue enamel, creating an elegant chromatic contrast with the gold. The interior, polished to a mirror finish, bears the French eagle’s head guarantee mark—introduced in 1838 for 18K gold—alongside other control marks from the Paris assay office.
An exquisite example of luxury portable goldsmith work, combining practicality with refined decoration, crafted in an era when Paris was one of Europe’s foremost centres for fine snuff box production.