Magazine Feature: Home & Antiques
The January issue of H&A is on sale now featuring Pushkin Antiques amongst others.
“From a New Year’s feast inspired by the novels of Charles and Catherine Dickens, to seasonal decorating ideas from Selina Lake featuring rich pomegranate reds and swathes of natural greenery, to four homes brimming with personality and festive cheer, there’s plenty to delight and intrigue in this issue. We’ve also hand-picked 25 of the best online boutiques selling antiques, vintage and artisan goodies, and Caroline Wheater rounds up some key auctions over the next six months to pop in your diary. Plus we hope you’ll enjoy our collecting features on Bristol Blue glass, napkin rings, tartanware and glittering gold antiques. A Very Merry Christmas!”
Gold Snuffboxes And Objects of Vertu In Our Collection:
Antique early-19th Century Continental 18k three-colour gold oval snuff box, the cover finely decorated in rose, yellow, and platinum with a central musical trophy composed of instruments and sheet-music motifs, surrounded by scrolling ribbonwork and dense floral garlands in varicolored gold. The sides are similarly enriched with alternating ribbon and flower swags, and the interior is plain polished gold.
Hallmarked on the inner rim "730", likely a fineness mark or inventory number.
Reference Number: A00183
Antique mid-19th Century German (Hanau) gold box of rectangular form, the hinged lid with a finely engine turned ground framed by a border in three colour gold, delicately worked with alternating leaf and floral motifs. The lid centred with an oval reserve, the sides similarly decorated with bands of engine turned ornament and applied multicoloured gold details. The overall design combines precise geometric surface patterning with richly ornamental borders, characteristic of Hanau goldsmiths of the period.
Hallmarked German gold, Maker's mark CCS (Charles Collins & Söhne).
Reference Number: A00187
Antique early 19th-century Swiss music snuff box, crafted in 18-carat gold and exquisitely decorated with multi-coloured enamels. Of elegant rectangular form, the case features engine-turned detailing throughout, with the top surface later embellished with old cut diamonds spelling the name "Belle". This sits against a richly enamelled dark blue ground, framed by a taille d’épargne border of tulips and plumes on a vibrant cornflower blue opaque enamel.
The exterior is adorned with a lavish polychrome palette of enamel — deep and light blues, reds, greens, oranges, and whites — all intricately bordered with chased gold foliate motifs. Each side is centered with navette-shaped dark blue enamel medallions, enhancing the symmetry and elegance of the design.
A discreet sliding switch at the reverse activates the concealed musical movement. Lifting the lid reveals a pierced rose gold grille, meticulously engraved with a trophy of love, birds, and floral roundels of vine leaves, concealing a snuff compartment beneath. The key-wound mechanism, accessible via a keyhole at the base, plays for approximately 3.5 minutes when fully wound in an anti-clockwise direction. A masterpiece of Swiss horological and decorative arts, this piece not only embodies technical innovation but also the romantic and artistic sensibilities of its time. Hallmarked maker's mark SD in a horizontal lozenge. (indicating the successful Genevois partnership of Sené & Detalla.), unofficial PC3 18ct standard mark, and later control marks.
Philippe Sené and Détalla were master goldsmiths active in Geneva around the turn of the 19th century, renowned for their production of luxurious objets de vertu. Their workshop specialised in exquisitely crafted items such as musical boxes, automata, and richly enamelled snuff boxes, often destined for elite European and Eastern clients. Working during a period when Geneva was celebrated for its fusion of horology, enamelling, and goldsmithing, Sené and Détalla exemplified the city’s technical and artistic finesse. Their partnership, which flourished until around 1805, produced some of the most intricate and imaginative examples of Geneva goldsmithing.
Reference Number: A10682
Antique early 19th Century German 18ct gold and enamel snuff box, of rectangular form with rounded corners, featuring a hinged cover framed by chased foliate borders on a deep blue guilloché enamel ground. On the lid, applied a gold framed enamelled plaque depicting Raphael's Sistine Madonna.
The sides decorated with foliate corners, with navette-shaped engine-turned medallions overlaid with the same rich blue enamel. Hallarked with the maker’s mark GT, and struck with three pseudo-hallmarks typical of Hanau: two seashells, a heraldic lion, and a radiating sunburst. The number 436, stamped on the inner lid, likely served as a workshop inventory or pattern reference.
Reference Number: A00002
Antique late 18th Century Swiss gold, enamel, and seed pearl aide mémoire box, crafted in a tapering rectangular form with canted edges. The cover features a central translucent dark blue enamel panel, vivid in colour and decorated in gilt with the word “SOUVENIR” framed by laurel and berry paillons, bordered with colourful enamel and rows of split seed pearls.
The sides are painted in enamel with finely detailed scenes of Venus, one accompanied by Cupid, the other by a river, set against a translucent blue ground and enclosed within matching decorative borders. Undoubtedly made in Switzerland by one of the finest goldsmiths and enamelers of the period, the box bears hallmarks that, while present, now indistinct.
Reference Number: C00143
Antique 19th Century German 18K gold snuff box, rectangular in form. The lid is finely engraved with floral motifs and set with an initial L set with 30 diamonds, while the base also bears floral engraving. The sides are engine turned. The box is not hallmarked although tests to 18k or above (750+/1000 gold) Makers mark is rubbed and unknown to me.
Reference Number: A00086
A 20th Century Art Deco French 18K gold and diamond compact. Circular in form with an all-over engine-turned decoration. The cover is set with a stylised "Shriners" logo accented with diamonds. Shriners International, formally known as the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, it is an American Masonic society. Founded in 1872 in New York City, it is now headquartered in Tampa, Florida, and has over 200 chapters across nine countries. The organization is known for its Middle Eastern theme, elaborate participation in parades and festivals. A diamond baguette push button opens the interior revealing a circular mirror and powder puff.
Hallmarked 18k gold (750 standard), London (import marks), year 1929 (o), Maker's mark "LPJV" (Unknown) & marked JC (Jacques Cartier).
Reference Number: C00142
Antique early 20th Century French art deco solid 14k (585) rose gold & yellow gold striped cigarette case. This exquisite case features machine-engraved patterns in the distinguished “Prince of Wales” style. Created by the renowned New York, Paris, and Palm Beach jeweler Charlton & Co, it is mounted with an elegant platinum clasp delicately set with old cut diamonds.
Hallmarked on the inside rim "CHARLTON & CO", Maker's mark "KK" and hallmarked 14k (585/1000)
Reference Number: C00168