Oval 18-carat Gold And Enamel Snuff Box With Miniature France (paris), Circa 1770–1790

An exceptional oval 18-carat gold snuff box, finely crafted and richly enamelled, representing the highest achievements of Parisian goldsmithing in the last quarter of the 18th century. The lid is centred with a finely painted ivory miniature, depicting the profile portrait of a gentleman wearing a powdered wig, jabot and dark coat, in keeping with the refined portrait taste of the late Enlightenment period. The miniature displays remarkable painterly quality, with delicately modelled flesh tones, precise draughtsmanship and elegant composition, attributable to a highly skilled miniaturist active in Paris or the Franco-Swiss milieu. The mount and exterior surfaces are lavishly decorated with polychrome opaque enamels forming floral and foliate motifs, combined with panels of translucent blue enamel over engine-turned ground, a highly sophisticated technique reserved for objects of aristocratic patronage. The decoration is further enhanced by raised beaded borders, oval reserves and central medallions, executed with exceptional refinement and balance. The interior is entirely in gold and bears maker’s, assay and control marks, fully consistent with French 18th-century regulations, allowing the snuff box to be confidently attributed to Parisian production and dated to circa 1770–1790. Preserved in outstanding original condition, with no restoration, the enamels remain fully intact, the miniature exceptionally well preserved, and the original hinge and clasp fully functional. A museum-quality object, exemplifying the luxury and technical mastery of French gold and enamel work in the 18th century.