Compigné, Round Box Decorated With A View Of The Château De Saint-cloud
Artist: Thomas Compigné
Attributed to Compigné, a round box or snuffbox in composition or tinted horn and tortoiseshell, the lid decorated with a finely engraved "view of the Château de Saint-Cloud from the Paris side," enhanced with gold, gouache, and varnish; the back guilloché with undulating motifs around a central eight-petaled flower.
Originally from Italy, Thomas Compigné, whose real name was Compigni, arrived in France around 1750. His shop, bearing the sign of King David, on Rue Greneta in Paris, specialized in the manufacture and sale of boxes, backgammon sets, checkers and chess sets, snuffboxes, and other cane handles in blond tortoiseshell inlaid with gold. Compigné enjoyed considerable success with his business and a large clientele.
But his name is best remembered primarily for his exceptionally precious small paintings, for which he developed a technique whose secrets remain shrouded in mystery to this day.
What little is known is that they were created by stamping a sheet of tin, which was then applied to a sheet of cardboard or tortoiseshell. The tin was then decorated with gold, silver, gouache, and colored varnishes.
The small size, characteristic of this production, likely necessitated working with a magnifying glass to achieve the best possible rendering of both detail and color.
These miniatures enjoyed great success in the 1760s and 1770s, earning him the title of privileged cabinetmaker to the king under Louis XV and Louis XVI.
The themes he depicted are varied, ranging from genre scenes and pastorals to views, rendered in perspective and often featuring figures, of towns, monuments, landscapes, and castles such as those of Choisy and Saint-Hubert, or, as seen here, Saint-Cloud.
Thus, our box, not only the work of a rare and sought-after artist, preserves the memory of one of the great royal castles, now lost. Good condition. Some minor wear to the gilding and coloring. A chip inside the box near the tortoiseshell rim, invisible when the box is closed.
Originally from Italy, Thomas Compigné, whose real name was Compigni, arrived in France around 1750. His shop, bearing the sign of King David, on Rue Greneta in Paris, specialized in the manufacture and sale of boxes, backgammon sets, checkers and chess sets, snuffboxes, and other cane handles in blond tortoiseshell inlaid with gold. Compigné enjoyed considerable success with his business and a large clientele.
But his name is best remembered primarily for his exceptionally precious small paintings, for which he developed a technique whose secrets remain shrouded in mystery to this day.
What little is known is that they were created by stamping a sheet of tin, which was then applied to a sheet of cardboard or tortoiseshell. The tin was then decorated with gold, silver, gouache, and colored varnishes.
The small size, characteristic of this production, likely necessitated working with a magnifying glass to achieve the best possible rendering of both detail and color.
These miniatures enjoyed great success in the 1760s and 1770s, earning him the title of privileged cabinetmaker to the king under Louis XV and Louis XVI.
The themes he depicted are varied, ranging from genre scenes and pastorals to views, rendered in perspective and often featuring figures, of towns, monuments, landscapes, and castles such as those of Choisy and Saint-Hubert, or, as seen here, Saint-Cloud.
Thus, our box, not only the work of a rare and sought-after artist, preserves the memory of one of the great royal castles, now lost. Good condition. Some minor wear to the gilding and coloring. A chip inside the box near the tortoiseshell rim, invisible when the box is closed.
1 800 €
Period: 18th century
Style: Louis 16th, Directory
Condition: Good condition
Diameter: 8,5 cm
Height: 1,8 cm
Reference (ID): 1731202
Availability: In stock
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