Two enamel snuffboxes with silver mounts, French, circa 1744-1749

decorated in polychrome and gilt raised and foiled enamels, one with Comedia Dell'Arte characters, the silver mounts with maker's mark illegible, charge and discharge mark of Antoine Lechaudel, 1744-1749 ; the other one with champêtre trophies, the silver mounts with maker's mark [?] [I] [?], date letter, charge and discharge mark of Antoine Lechaudel

Acquired from Harvey & Gore, London, September 1972

the enamel with some hairline cracks and minor wear to enamel. They remain in exceptional 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."

The origin of such enamel decoration remains unknown. Traditionally thought to be from Saxony, it has been variously suggested that it was made in Dresden or Berlin, and attributed to the Fromery workshop, or to Christian Friedrich Herold, the Meissen porcelain painter. The majority of similar enamel snuffboxes have French silver mounts and it is known that there were also some active enamelling workshops in Paris and St Cloud, to which these boxes could be attributed. A French enamel snuffbox similarly decorated is at the British Museum ( reference 1992.025.5). For further information, see Ailee Dawson, 'Gold foil decoration on enamel, glass and porcelain: a new look', The Burlington Magazine, May 1990, pp. 336-342.