The Private Collection of a Gentleman

An early 19th century Swiss enamel slim snuff box, by Jean-Georges Rémond & Cie, Geneva, circa 1810, rectangular with rounded corners, the hinged cover centred with an enamelled panel depicting Venus and Cupid holding a firebrand, the panel possibly painted by Jean-Abraham Lissignol, within a half pearl border, decorated to each side of the panel with translucent royal blue enamel over a radiating engine-turned pattern, the sides spaced with four square turquoise blue taille d’épargne enamel panels incorporating gold quatrefoil motifs, the base decorated in matching translucent royal blue enamel over repeating quatrefoil engine-turned pattern, marked inside cover and inside base with script maker’s monogram in oval punch, struck twice, and maker’s mark in lozenge (partially struck twice), further stamped mark to outer border, length 70mm. £1,000-£1,500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Private Collection of a Gentleman.

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Although unsigned, the enamel panel is possibly by Jean-Abraham Lissignol, (1749-1819). Born in Geneva, he was the pupil and partner of Jean-Marc Roux and later was apprenticed in Paris. He was one of the most important Geneva enamel miniature painters. He worked for Jaquet-Droz, Leschot, Rochat, John Rich and Jean-Georges Rémond & Company. As well as painting portrait miniatures, he supplied workshop with plaques for snuff boxes and watch cases. He appears to have specialised in allegorical subjects, including plump cherubs, with a distinct technique using extremely fine strokes of the brush, made with just one hair, in combination with the pointillist style which is typical of his work.



From 1798-1815, the French, under Napoleon, occupied Switzerland. 12th April 1798 saw the establishment of the Helvetic Republic, where the Swiss independent cantons came under the control of France, forming the new department of Léman, until it was dissolved in 1815). During this period, the imposed French laws required gold makers to enter their initials within a horizontal lozenge. After 1815 the lozenge was no longer required.

See: Blunt, Sir A. (ed.), The James A. de Rothschild Collection at Waddesdon Manor, ‘Gold Boxes’, pub. for the National Trust by Office du Livre, 1975, page 140.

For an example of Lissignol’s work, see Christie’s Important Watches sale, 14th May 2014, lot 334.