Discover how the value of similar works has evolved over the past 10 years. Art is not only beauty — it's an investment.
Discover how the value of similar works has evolved over the past 10 years. Art is not only beauty — it's an investment.
The central element of the hinged lid features an enamel miniature depicting a romantic scene in the gallant style. The composition is finely rendered and enclosed within an oval frame of opaque sky-blue enamel, adorned with neoclassical floral motifs.
The sides of the case are decorated with a guilloché pattern beneath translucent enamel, enhanced with white enamel ribbon-like waves. The base is designed with alternating vertical segments of white and blue enamel, emphasizing the symmetry and architectural structure of the form. The tobacco box reflects the harmony of proportion and technical perfection characteristic of the Geneva school.
Marks: maker’s mark of Pierre Girard, Swiss gold hallmarks post-1881, item number 4281
Dimensions: Width 8.5 cm, depth 6 cm, height 1.5 cm . Weight: 122 g
Condition: Excellent collector’s condition
Provenance: Private collection, Monaco
Pierre Girard was a hereditary master whose career coincided with the height of Geneva’s enamel school. His workshop specialized in producing snuff boxes, medallions, and caskets decorated with miniature painting and gold. These works were often numbered and exhibited at international expositions in Paris, London, and Vienna. Contemporary trade catalogues and Swiss industrial records list Girard among the acknowledged producers of luxury goods. His work is distinguished by its densely painted surfaces, precise engraving, and carefully selected subject matter tailored to elite tastes.
Tobacco boxes of this type were made for private commissions and prestigious export. The gallant-style scenes and neoclassical decoration reflect the decorative ideals of the period and the preferences of Europe’s social elite.
Today, works by the Pierre Girard workshop are part of the collections of leading museums of decorative arts, including the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire (Geneva), the Victoria and Albert Museum (London), as well as private collections in Russia, France, and Monaco.
In excellent collectors condition. Enamel is smooth and intact; gold shows no signs of deformation or restoration. The lid closes tightly.
The condition report is provided for informational purposes only.
It is not comprehensive and may not reflect all defects, restorations, alterations, or adaptations, as Antiqon does not perform professional conservation-level assessments. The information is based on a qualified, yet subjective, evaluation by our specialists.Before purchasing, we recommend consultation with an independent expert.Please also consult our Terms and conditions and Glossary A-Z, which contain important information on lot characteristics and sale conditions.
