A jewelled, gold and enamel Imperial presentation snuff box, Louis-François Tronquoy, Paris, circa 1855-1871

rectangular, applied in rose diamonds with the cypher of Napoleon III, Emperor of the French, on an openwork scrolled ground, each corner further applied with rose-diamond bees on a translucent scarlet ground over engine-turning and leafy volutes, the sides and base ornamented with pied-de-poule engine-turning within flowered scroll and cartouche ornament, applied with leaf thumbpiece, maker’s mark, French control mark (médecin grec), the rim numbered: 967

top right hand corner has been repaired. Pin of the left to cover has been replaced. One in left corner missing. Weight: 134.1 gr. For all sales which take place on or after 1 February 2015, please note that the rate of buyer's premium for each lot (charged as a percentage of the hammer price achieved for that lot) has been revised and shall be calculated at the thresholds set out below: Buyer's premium is 25% of the hammer price up to and including £100,000; Buyer's premium is 20% of the hammer price on any amount in excess of £100, 000 up to and including £1,800,000; Buyer's premium is 12% of the hammer price on any amount in excess of £1,800,000. As stated above, the revised thresholds are effective as of 1 February 2015.
"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."

Louis-François Tronquoy was a prolific snuff box maker and the chief supplier of presentation boxes to Emperor Napoleon III. He first entered his mark for la tabatière on 4 January 1827 from 8 rue des Prouvaires, probably taking over the business and premises of the box-maker Simon-Achille Léger. Tronquoy continued to work at the same address until 28 June 1871.

Symbol of immortality and resurrection, the bee was chosen by Napoleon I to link the new dynasty to the very origins of France and was subsequently adopted by Napoleon III.