A group of three gold and enamel bodkin cases, Geneva and Paris, circa 1790

Property of an Italian private collection

A group of three gold and enamel bodkin cases, Geneva and Paris, circa 1790

all of upright tapering form, the first probably Geneva, circa 1780, both sides painted with cartouches containing a young lady or children playing music, within gold paillon border on a dark blue enamel ground, elaborate paillon flower wreaths and ribbons, probaby later fitted with a suspension loop to each side, unmarked apart from later French control marks; the second, probably Geneva, circa 1790, the opaque white enamel ground inlaid with green enamel and gold paillon leafy bands, pale blue enamel rims, maker’s mark R incuse; the third, a pearl-set example of similar date, decorated with bands of gold taille d’épargne in pale blue enamel, overlaid with two lozenges enamelled with a classical figure on each side, later French eagle’s head control mark and illegible French control mark

10.5cm., 4⅛in. to 11.2cm., 4½in. high