AN UNUSUAL THREE-COLOUR GOLD AND ENAMEL SNUFF BOX, GUIDON GIDE & BLONDET FILS, GENEVA, CIRCA 1801-1804 | An unusual three-colour gold and enamel snuff box, Guidon Gide & Blondet Fils, Geneva, circa 1801-1804

rectangular with cut corners, the lid inset with an enamel plaque painted in the manner of J.F.V. Dupont with The Landlord's Family, framed by coloured gold rosettes and scrolls, the sides enamelled in translucent blue over wavy engine-turning below taille d'épargne gothick arches, the corners with pharaoh busts, the base decorated in layers of translucent enamel over engine-turning to form a central scarlet rectangle containing a spray of flowers within a light blue frame, flanked by dark blue enamel matching that on the sides, the interior of the lid engraved probably contemporaneously with a faithful hound lying beside a sun dial below the motto: Time passes Friendship remains, interior of base with maker's mark

Slight damage to the restoration in the centre of the front enamel panel, the right side panel restored, very small loss to white enamel on the front left corner and the rim around the blue side panel, a minute short crack in the Egyptian border on the left side, a few minute surface scratches to the sides, one of the three pins above the hinge missing, the base with one minute surface scratch, otherwise in very 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."

The Landlord's Family was engraved by Charles Knight in 1792, after the painting by Thomas Stothard. The rendering in enamel is slightly different as it has been altered to accommodate a 'landscape' view rather than the original 'portrait' view. The present box is unusual in several ways. Firstly it combines different styles fashionable at the time, combining gothick ornament with the Egyptian decoration made popular after Napoleon's Egyptian expedition in 1799. The layered enamelling on the base, which must have been extraordinarily difficult to produce, is also rare to find. It is also interesting that the box was engraved in English with a charming dedication of friendship which matches the cosy domestic subject.