A gold-mounted 'vernis Martin' snuff box

Paris, 1755, relined by Jean-Louis Leferre, Paris, 1809-1819, marked on rim: discharge mark of Julien Berthe, Paris, date letter for 1755; on lining, lid and base, maker's mark of Jean-Louis Leferre, Paris 3e titre et garantie, 1809-1819



oval, lacquered in translucent strawberry red over chevron-stamped foil, the lid painted with a Teniers-like subject of Flemish topers sprawled round a picnic table, the sides and base with landscapes, gilded flower and scroll borders, gold scrolled thumbpiece and later gold lining

Good condition apart from small surface losses to edges of lid, visible in catalogue photo, also at base and sides. Repaired split to side of lid at 2 o'clock. Some dulling of gilding on borders of lid, also visible in the catalogue photo.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Jean-Louis Leferre registered marks for: garniture de tabatières; tabletterie; le doublé from 159 rue St-Martin in 1803 and 1811/12. The mark was cancelled following his death in 1822 and his widow, Catherine- Adélaïde Duponnois, registered her own mark. This was superceded in 1837 by the marks of, presumably, their two sons, Jean-Louis (fils ainé) and the better-known Alexandre. There are a considerable number of mounted boxes, mainly of the then fashionable tortoiseshell, in the collections of the Louvre, with Leferre family marks (Serge Grandjean, Les tabatières du musée du Louvre, Paris, 1981, nos. 299-326). Nocq suspected that Jean-Louis Leferre might have been the same person as the Jean-Louis Lefèvre who had entered a mark from the faubourg St-Denis in 1781, appearing, however, as ancien orfèvre at the same address in 1791 (Le poinçon de Paris, Paris, 1926-1931, vol.III, p.79). The link is an entry in Douet in 1806 for: Jean-Louis Lefèvre ... garnitures de tabatières et tabletterie, rue St-Martin, anc. No. 290.