ANTIQUE 18thC SWISS 18K GOLD & BLUE ENAMEL SNUFF BOX, JEAN-GEORGE RÉMOND c.1780

£14,795.00

Antique exquisite late 18th Century circular snuff box by the Genevan goldsmith Jean George Rémond, finely made in 18 carat gold and richly decorated with translucent royal blue enamel. The lid displays a beautifully worked radiating guilloché ground beneath vibrant blue enamel, centred by a delicate gold floral bouquet within a finely engraved scrolling border. An elegant garland of trailing flowers and foliage encircles the lid, framed by concentric gold and blue enamel borders with intricate foliate ornament. The softly contrasting ivory toned sides are enclosed by finely detailed gold mounts, lending the box a refined and harmonious appearance. The richness of the blue enamel, together with the precision of the gold decoration, exemplifies the exceptional craftsmanship for which Geneva's finest goldsmiths were renowned, combining neoclassical proportions with the luxurious materials and meticulous decorative techniques characteristic of Genevan objets de vertu. Hallmarked to the inside "IGM" (Jean-George Rémond). 

Reference Number: A00186

Antique exquisite late 18th Century circular snuff box by the Genevan goldsmith Jean George Rémond, finely made in 18 carat gold and richly decorated with translucent royal blue enamel. The lid displays a beautifully worked radiating guilloché ground beneath vibrant blue enamel, centred by a delicate gold floral bouquet within a finely engraved scrolling border. An elegant garland of trailing flowers and foliage encircles the lid, framed by concentric gold and blue enamel borders with intricate foliate ornament. The softly contrasting ivory toned sides are enclosed by finely detailed gold mounts, lending the box a refined and harmonious appearance. The richness of the blue enamel, together with the precision of the gold decoration, exemplifies the exceptional craftsmanship for which Geneva's finest goldsmiths were renowned, combining neoclassical proportions with the luxurious materials and meticulous decorative techniques characteristic of Genevan objets de vertu. Hallmarked to the inside "IGM" (Jean-George Rémond). 

Reference Number: A00186

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Jean-Georges Rémond was born in France on July 27, 1752. Forced into exile by the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, his family took refuge in the German city of Hanau which soon became one of the largest production centers of goldsmithery in Europe in the second half of the 18th century. The son of goldsmith Johannes Remond perfected his skills in Paris, Berlin and London and quickly became one of the most prominent European goldsmith specializing in musical automatons and gold boxes.
He was later officially admitted as "Goldsmith-Jeweler" in Geneva on December 22, 1783 after having submitted an oval snuffbox in gold covered with an enamelled scene in the judgment of his peers. At the same time he founded "George Rémond Cie".

In the first years of the nineteenth century, the company "Rémond Lamy Co" produces brilliant boxes singing bird embellished with pearls that were intended for the Chinese market. The Napoleonic conquest imposes the French guarantee system and influences in the Geneva production. In 1806, the factory employs a hundred artisans and the production of the Fabrique rayon in Paris and London but also in Germany, Russia, Turkey and China. Jean-Georges Rémond died on February 11, 1830 in his hometown. His work, of a very high quality, was characterized by the use of the application of a translucent enamel on a gold surface guilloche and surrounded by a border of pearls. His snuff boxes were often offered as a diplomatic gifts. It is also said that if one wanted to receive a favor from Cambaceres it was enough to offer him a snuffbox by this renowned goldsmith.

CONDITION

In Excellent Condition - Please refer to photographs.

SIZE

Height: 2 cm // 0.79 inches 
Diameter: 7 cm // 2.76 inches 
Weight: 111.2g