A GOLD AND ENAMEL SNUFF BOX FOR THE CHINESE MARKET, PAINTED BY JEAN-LOUIS RICHTER, GUIDON, RÉMOND, GIDE & CO., GENEVA, 1792-1801 | A gold and enamel snuff box for the Chinese market, painted by Jean-Louis Richter, Guidon, Rémond, Gide & Co., Geneva, 1792-1801

of pointed cartouche form, the lid enamelled en plein with a young man and a woman before seascape and fishermen loading their boats, signed: Richter, within a boldly curved white enamel frame and further gold Moresque ornaments within  black and green taille d'épargne borders, the sides and base with translucent blue enamel over engine turning, maker's mark GRG crowned incuse in lid and base

the miniature in excellent condition; sides and base with extensive but almost invisble restoration, very small dent to left side of the rim with minute loss to the fine white enamel border
"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."

It is probable that this box, although of a type more commonly supplied to the Ottoman market, was intended for the Chinese market since it was evidently made as one of a pair. It was believed at the time that watches, automata and snuff boxes for the Chinese should be made as pairs, considered to be in harmony (see Arnaud Tellier, The Mirror of Seduction, exhibition catalogue, Patek Philippe Museum, Geneva, 2012). The mirror-image ‘pair’ to the present box is currently in the collections of the MAH, Geneva (inv. No. E0278). Of identical form and decoration, it displays on the lid the same ‘view near Naples’, after Claude-Joseph Vernet, also signed by Richter, but in reverse. For an exploration of the sources of this subject, see Hans Boekh, ‘Jean-Louis Richter, peintre genevois sur émail (1766-1841)’, GENAVA, 31(1983), pp. 108/9.