deux tabatieres a portrait en or par Moulinie, Bautte & Moynier, Geneve, 1808-1821

la première sertie du portrait de Charles Vidua, comte de Canzano, la bâte et le dessous guillochés et bordés de rinceaux en or de trois tons, poinçon de maîtres, poinçon de  Genève après 1815 avec deux autres poinçons de contröle ; la seconde sertie du portrait d'une jeune femme, les bordures ciselées de papillons et fleurs, poinçon de maîtres, titre et garantie de l'occupation française de 1809-1819
the first inset  with a portrait of Carlo Vidua, conte di Canzano, the sides and base engine-turned within three colour gold scrolls, maker's mark, Geneva post-1815 town mark and two further control marks; the second box inset with a portrait of a lady with rayed panels within borders chased with butterflies and flowers, maker's mark, French occupation titre et garantie for 1809-1819

First: good condition but would benefit from professional cleaning Second: miniature has spots of damp and moisture below glass. Would alos benefit from professional cleaning, otherwise good condition
"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."

Charles Vidua, comte de Conzano (1785-1830) etait un explorateur, bibliophile et collectionneur pre-romantique de la fin du XVIIIe siècle. Il etudia le droit a Turin et joignit la Societa dei Concordi, cercle culturel qui reunissait la jeunesse italienne intellectuelle et patriotique, dont Cesare Balbo, un des grands acteurs du Risorgimento, ou unification du Royaume d’Italie. En 1809, il commenca par un voyage à travers l’Europe jusqu’en Turquie et rencontra hommes politiques, ambassadeurs et le tsar Alexandre. En 1819, il embarqua pour l’Egypte qu’il explora du Nord au Sud et y constitua une collection d’antiquites dont il fit don à l’Italie. Elle constitue désormais le noyau des collections du musée Egyptien de Turin.  En 1825, il part découvrir l’Amérique et le Canada, y rencontre les presidents John Quincy Adams et James Madison, puis se rend à Singapour, en Chine, aux Philippines, en Indonésie et en Nouvelle-Guinée. C’est la qu’il est mortellement blessé, après s’etre approché de trop pres d’un volcan sur l’ile de Celebes: les brulures furent mal gueries et se transformerent en gangrene. Charles Vidua mourut sur le bateau qui le ramenait sur l’ile d’Ambon, alors centre militaire et residence du gouverneur hollandaise des iles Moluques.

La lettre qui accompagne cette tabatière est ecrite en hollandais et précise que cette dernière aurait été offerte en remerciement au Resident Ney (?) pour avoir héberge  notre héros pendant trois mois avant qu’il ne décède le 26 decembre 1830. 

Carlo Vidua, conte di Conzano (1785-1830), was a pre-romantic explorer, bibliophile and collector. He studied law in Turin and joined the intellectual Societa dei Concordi, with Cesare Balbo, one of the leaders of the Risorgimento. In 1809, he started a Gr nd Tour of Europe and Turkey, where he met politicians, ambassadors and the Russian Tsar, Alexander I. In 1819, he embarked for Egypt which he explored from north to south amassing a collection of antiquities, now the core of the Egyptian  Museum in Turin. In 1825, hetravelled to America and Canada, where he met presidents John Quincy Adams and James Madison. He then visited Singapore, China, the Philippines, Indonesia, and New Guinea. His travels unfortunately led him too near to an active volcano on the island of Celebes where he was severely burned. His injuries developed into gangrene and he died on theboat trip to Ambon, the Dutch colonial residence and military centre of the Muluku Islands.

The letter in Dutch which accompanies the present snuff box asserts that it was presented to thank  the Resident Ney (?) for having hosted our hero during the last three months of his life.