Gold and Enamel Snuff Box
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1800
The lid's central plaque, engraved with a lute instrument against a light blue flooded background. Fine gold linear patterns reminiscent of strawberry seeds are set against the black enamel, adding texture to the design.
The cut corners are engraved with leaf motifs. The underside mirrors the decorative theme, centering on an elongated octagonal black and white enamel pattern, flanked by engraved acanthus leaf half-wreaths. Several gold boxes bearing the sunburst mark and "FJ"—often accompanied by a laurel wreath above, with or without a sunray symbol, as well as a distinctive crossed-S mark—were historically attributed to François Joanin of Geneva.
Based on stylistic and technical analysis, the manufacturing period for these gold boxes is now believed to range from approximately 1790 to 1820.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Material (listing wording)
- gold and enamel
- Dimensions or weight (listing wording)
- 1.2 cm // 0.47 inches Width: 8.7 cm // 3.43 inches Depth: 2.5 cm // 0.98 inches
Identification
- Source note
- Auction-house description published on Invaluable. Attribution and measurements are the auction house’s statements about the photographed example; independent type authentication remains research required.
- Listing object ID
- 201701861
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Independent confirmation of type attribution and auction-house statements remains research required.