A George II silver-gilt chinoiserie tea caddy, Paul de Lamerie, London, 1744

of heavy gauge, finely cast and chased on front and reverse panels with exotic fruit and palm trees within scroll cartouches, the sides also with fruit trees and pagodas within scroll and architectural capital cartouches, corners applied with trailing flowers, scrollwork base with shell supports, the hinged cover applied with flower finial

By family tradition, Comte Jacques Alléon (1792-1876);
Thence by descent

Light wear to mercury gilding at highlights, slightly wobbly on the base; fully hallmarked on underside, maker's mark only on cover, French control marks on body and cover; one shoulder with a bruise, otherwise overall 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."

This model conforms to a type produced by Lamerie in the mid-1740s. A similar box, described as a tobacco box because of its unusual size and opening cover, was in the Alan and Simone Hartman Collection, now in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. It seems that these panels of exotic decoration are derived from popular prints, such as those of Bernard Picart (1673-1733) in Cérémonies, published in Amsterdam in the 1720s.

Jacques Alléon (1792-1876) was born in Constantinople and a French trader between the Ottoman Empire and France. He was one of the founder of the first Bank of Constantinople, took some actions in the Canal of Suez and invested in Baron Haussman's property projects. Pope Gregoore XVI granted him with the title of count in 1838, later recognised by Napoleon III. He was also awarded Officier de la Legion d'Honneuras well as other eminent Continental knighthood titles.

Associated Literature

Christopher Hartop, The Huguenot Legacy, English Silver 1680-1760 from the Alan and Simone Hartman Collection, 1996, p.318-9, p.328-9