Porcelain snuffbox, mounted in gold, rectangular and painted on each side of the exterior and the cover with a colorful mythological vignette, the cover interior painted in sepia and flesh tones with "Leda and the Swan", the rim and cover rim with a wave-engraved hinged red-gold mount.

Snuff Box

Germany

About 1765

See More of the Collection

Large vase of creamware and jasperware constructed of seven pieces (plinth, base, foot, body, two handles, neck), the fluted base and square plinth are of blue, white, brown, and beige jasper combined to create a marbled effect, then covered with a lead glaze to resemble green malachite; the yellow foot has a central blue and white band decorated with a wavescroll pattern; the two loop handles are decorated with yellow bands down each side, the central handle has a white ground on both sides decorated with stylized green and yellow leaf-and-berry vines; the neck is likewise yellow highlighted with a repeating star pattern, on either side is a central reserve of a lighter yellow color and outlined with blue foliate motifs, in the middle of each in blue is a tripod urn above two crossed leafy branches, the lip with a blue egg-and-dart pattern; the central ovoid body depicts in monochrome blue the scene of Alexander the Great, accompanied by his friend Hephaestion, entering the tent of the Persian king Darius III after "La tente de Darius" by Charles Le Brun (1619-90) from the “Triumphs of Alexander” series painted between 1662 and 1673 (now in the Louvre). Lessore used as a prototype an engraving by Gérard Edelinck (Flemish, 1640-1707), which was made to complete the series otherwise engraved by Gérald Audran (French, 1640-1703). The painting, which continues around the body of the vase shows on the reverse a landscape typical of Northern Africa.
Chatelaine comprised of an oval, dark blue jasper medallion with white jasper bas relief set in a cut-steel mount with hook on the back, the medallion with the relief scene of "Hercules and Omphale," from this hang three simple cable chains interspersed with cut-steel beads, each attaches to a second oval, dark blue jasper medallion with white jasper bas relief in like cut-steel mount, the medallion with the relief scene of "Ulysses staying the chariot of Victory," from this hang five individual cable chains interspersed with cut-steel beads, the outer two end in tassels and the three in the middle in hooks.
Small sewing etui comprised of an actual walnut (covered with a varnish to preserve it) with gold and gilt brass mounts and hinged so that it can be opened and closed, the interior on one side set with a small round mirror and red velvet lining, on the other with a gilt brass mount outfitted with small, delicate sewing instruments including an ivory thimble with gold mount, a stiletto, scissors, an ivory needle case, a miniature leather-lined book, a file, needles and a pin.
Rectangular enameled box with a turquoise green ground with gold highlights, the lid painted with the scene of a stag hunt and the sides with small reserves painted with landscape scenes, the inside of the box on the bottom printed with the scene of a bear hunt in black.