Beschreibung:

A FRENCH PARCEL-ENAMELLED GOLD PRESENTATION SNUFF-BOX SET WITH A MINIATURE by François Chateau (fl. 1802-1806), marked, with the Parisian post-Revolutionary standard mark for 20.5-carat gold, the flange struck with inventory numbers 'N o 98.' and 2, and engraved with the retailer's name 'Marguerite Joaillier de la Couronne de Le. r s Maj. t e s Imp. l e s', the miniature by Jean-Baptiste Isabey (1767-1855), signed and dated 'Isabey 1806' (mid-right) Octagonal box, the cover centred by a glazed oval miniature depicting Emperor Napoleon I of France (1769-1821), facing right with flowing forward-combed dark hair, wearing the blue uniform with white facings of the chasseurs à cheval , decorated with the red sash and silver breast-star of the Imperial French Order of the Legion of Honour, his left lapel pinned with the badges of the Imperial French Order of the Legion of Honour and with the badge of the Royal Italian Order of the Iron Crown of Lombardy, gold epaulettes and buttons, stormy sky background, within a gold border stamped with stylized acanthus surrounded by a narrow blue enamel band, on an octagonal frosted gold panel applied with four Mercury heads as spandrels in the corners, within a broad blue enamelled border with gold taille d'épargne scrolling foliage and rosettes, the sides and base similarly framed, the panels on the sides and base centred by rectangular gold panels engine-turned with diaperwork, the corners with taille d'épargne palmettes on blue enamelled rectangles 3 3/8 in. (85 mm.) high