Vari-coloured incrusted gold and tortoiseshell snuff box, Paris, 1763, by Thomas Pierre Breton
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1763
This antique oval snuff box, created in Paris in 1763 by the goldsmith Thomas Pierre Breton, is a fine example of 18th-century French craftsmanship. The box is constructed primarily of tortoiseshell, which serves as a dark, polished background for an elaborate decorative scheme of vari-coloured incrusted gold.
The lid features a detailed scene depicting birds amidst trees, while the sides are adorned with delicate floral bouquets. The box is completed by an ornamental gold mount showcasing a distinct Greek key motif. Measuring 4.4 cm in height and 9.1 cm in length, with a gross weight of 122 grams, the piece incorporates various French hallmark symbols including a charge mark, a discharge mark, and indications of gold purity.
The artistry relies on the contrast between the dark organic material and the multi-toned metallic inlay, reflecting the refined decorative tastes of the era. The item serves as a luxurious personal accessory typical of the period's fashion for snuff consumption.
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
- Weight
- 122g
- Material
- tortoiseshell, vari-coloured gold
- Dimensions
- 4.4cm height, 9.1cm length
Technical characteristics
- Hallmarks
- charge mark (two laurel branches), MO, letter Z, discharge mark (braque head), gold purity (750)
Design
- Lid motif
- birds on a tree-filled space
- Side motif
- flower bouquets
- Mount motif
- Greek key
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- Thomas Pierre Breton
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.