18 Karat Gold and Enamel Snuff Box by Freres Jordan, Hanau, Germany, 1790s

Details

Description

Antique 18th century german 18k gold & hand painted enamel snuff box. Of rectangular shape with angled corners, this exquisite … Read more Antique 18th century german 18k gold & hand painted enamel snuff box. Of rectangular shape with angled corners, this exquisite snuff box features a meticulously designed lid. At its centre is an enamel plaque portraying a picturesque countryside hunting scene: to the left, a woman on horseback accompanied by dogs running through a forested landscape; in the foreground, a leaping deer; in the middle distance, a church-like building; and to the right, a gentleman also on horseback.

the plaque is surrounded by a refined gold, white, and blue enamelled borders. The sides of the box are adorned with white enamel, while the angled corners feature white enamel urns with gold detailing set against a blue enamel background with a radiating engine-turned pattern. The underside is finished in white enamel with a decorative gold and blue enamel floral border.

the box bears a sunburst mark, a pseudo-mark for hanau, freres jordan (active 1790-1820), and the lid is further marked with a letter "u".

the sunburst mark is the mark of frères jordan, a renowned goldsmithing firm active in hanau between 1790 and 1820.

several gold boxes bearing the sunburst mark and "fj"—often accompanied by a laurel wreath above, with or without a sunray symbol, as well as a distinctive crossed-s mark—were historically attributed to françois joanin of geneva. However, current scholarship suggests that these pieces were more likely the work of skilled huguenot goldsmiths operating in the rhineland, particularly in the flourishing centers of hanau and berlin during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

distinctive characteristics of these boxes include their finely executed shallow construction, elegantly canted corners, and intricate decorative motifs. Additionally, many examples feature an inventory number discreetly struck on the right-hand rim of the cover, further supporting the theory of a systematic production process. Based on stylistic and technical analysis, the manufacturing period for these gold boxes is now believed to range from approximately 1790 to 1820.

condition
in great condition - wear expected with age. Please refer to photographs.

size
height: 2.5 cm // 0.98 inches
width: 9.5 cm // 3.74 inches
depth: 4.25 cm // 1.67 inches
weight: 120 g // 3.86 ozt this piece has an attribution mark,
i am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity
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