A JEWELLED 14 CT GOLD AND ENAMEL PRESENTATION SNUFF BOX, C.M. WEISHAUPT & SÖHNE, HANAU, CIRCA 1840 | A jewelled 14 ct gold and enamel presentation snuff box, C.M. Weishaupt & Söhne, Hanau, circa 1840

cartouche form, the chased lid set with a miniature portrait on ivory of Prince Frederick William of Prussia, in the uniform of a general in the Prussian army, with the ribbon and the star of the Order of the Black Eagle and the collar and badge of the Hohenzollern House Order, in circular paste frame, surrounded by collet-set pastes, scrollwork and blue enamelled ornaments, the baluster sides decorated with alternating floral and ornamental borders in two-coloured gold, the base engine-turned within scrollwork and flowers on a matted ground, maker's mark, town mark, further struck: 14, left rim numbered:1051

An Italian princely family

Would benefit from professional cleaning; otherwise in good order although central top row paste has slipped.
"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 records of the London Exhibition of 1862, held in South Kensington, list the bijouter C. M. Weishaupt Sons from Hanau as exhibitors of jewellery and five gold snuff boxes, one of them inset with diamonds, the others with enamel decoration. Not only were they awarded a medal during this exhibition, but had also received a council medal at the Great Exhibition in 1855, as well as a bronze medal in the Paris Exposition of 1867. Carl (Charles) Martin Weishaupt had established the firm of Weishaupt & Co. in Hanau on 7 December 1801. He married Johanna Maria Remmo (Remond) and they had three sons, Otto, Christian and Anton. By 1837 Carl Martin was dead and his widow and 3 sons were in business at Nürnbergergasse 576 under the name of C.M. Weishaupt Söhne. Interestingly, it seems that the German born importer and jeweller Philipp Wohack represented C. M. Weishaupt Söhne at the time of the exhibitions in London, being their agent with a saleroom on Frith Street and later on Maddox Street between 1857 and at least 1871.