Jewellery, Watches and Objects of Vertu

A French Louis XV gold enamelled snuff box, probably by Noel Hardivilliers, the cover, sides and base with panels of dendritic agate mounted á cage, decorated with borders of pink and white basse taille enamel against a wavy ground, stamped marks to inner rim, maker’s mark partially struck, charge mark for the fermier Louis Robin, Paris (between 1738-44); date letter for Paris 1739; discharge mark (fox’s head) stamped to outer rim, dimensions 6.5 x 4.95 x 3.0 cm.
£10,000-£12,000

Noel Hardivilliers (1704-1779) is one of the most notable figures of the Parisian gold box trade, becoming master in 1729. His early works feature the use of hardstones within delicate gold cagework mounts, as displayed in this box.