Bonbonnière en or et émail, Joseph-Etienne Blerzy, Paris, 1776

ronde, émaillée de gris translucide sur un fond guilloché à motifs concentriques, les bordures ciselées et émaillées de guirlande de laurier sur fond amati, poinçon de maître, lettre date, charge et décharge de Jean-Baptiste Fouache, bordure numérotée 396

circular, grey translucent enamel over swirled engine-turning, the borders chased and enamelled with red beqds and laurel garlands, maker's mark, charge and discharge of Jean-Baptiste Fouache, dqte letter, rim numbered 396

slight losses to white enamel lid rim and very small chip to bottom edge of grey enamel on side otherwise good condition. clear marks.
"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."

Joseph-Etienne Blerzy naquit le 8 juin 1735 et entra en apprentissage le 27 février 1750 auprès de François-Joachim Aubert, orfèvre spécialisé dans les montures de tabatières en laque et écaille. Aubert cautionna également Blerzy lorsque ce dernier accéda à la maîtrise en 1768, sis au pont du change. Son magasin, à l'enseigne 'ville de Leipzig', resta sur le pont jusqu'en 1785, date à laquelle toutes les maisons durent détruites afin d'élargir la route. Il s'installa alors au 41 rue de la Monnaie, puis, peu avant 1798, rue du Coq St Honoré, avec Etienne-Lucien Blerzy, selon l'Almanach de Commerce de 1806. En 1808, la veuve d'Etienne-Lucien, Victoire Boisot, reprit l'affaire, Joseph-Etienne s'étant probablement retiré après sa longue carrière, une des plus prolifiques et techniquement remarquables parmi les orfèvres parisiens du XVIIIe siècle. Il mourut le 23 avril 1821.  

Joseph-Etienne Blerzy was born on 8 June 1735 and apprenticed on 27 February 1750 to François-Joachim Aubert, a goldsmith who specialised in mounting tortoiseshell and lacquer snuff boxes. Aubert also acted as sponsor in 1768 when Blerzy became master, from the pont au Change. His shop, under the sign of the ‘ville de Leipzig’, remained on the bridge until 1785 when all the houses were pulled down to widen the road. He then moved to the rue de la Monnaie 41, and sometime before 1798 to the rue du Coq St. Honoré where he is recorded in the Almanach de Commerce in 1806 with Etienne-Lucien Blerzy. In 1808, Etienne-Lucien’s widow (Victoire Boisot) took over the business so presumably by that date Joseph-Etienne had retired after his long career as one of the most prolific and technically-accomplished late eighteenth century Parisian gold box makers. He died on 23 April 1821.