Alexandre Leferre, the maker of this box, was one of the most prolific box makers of the 19th century. Probably working with his brother, Jean-Louis, he is first recorded in 1806 and was still active in 1852, when this box was marked. The engraved signature on the bezel shows that it was retailed by the royal goldsmith, Jules Fossin.
The box is set with a miniature by the French enameller Jaques Bordier. Bordier's work with his brother-in-law Jean Petitot had a great influence on subsequent enamellers.The portrait, which dates from around 1651, shows the celebrated Parisian printer Antoine Vitré. Vitré's greatest achievement was a psalter printed both in Latin and Arabic. He was patronized by the Cardinal Richelieu and was appointed printer in oriental languages to Louis XIII and later director of the royal presses.
A letter in the Chaumet archives (the firm who eventually took over Fossin's workshop), indicates that the box was commissioned by the Russian prince Anatole Demidoff. Demidoff was a passionate collector, his fortunes based on the family's mining interests in Russia. Demidoff approved the scheme put forward by Fossin to create a box to fit this 17th century miniature.
Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world’s great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.
Physical description
An octagonal, enamelled gold snuffbox, with ten panels painted with a profusion of pansies in a geometric pattern, the cover set with an enamel miniature. The enamel miniature shows the printer Antoine Vitré turned in three-quarter profile with long grey hair wearing a midnight blue robe against a grey background.
Place of Origin
Paris, France (box, made)
Date
1852 (made)
1651 (enamelled)
Artist/maker
Leferre, Alexandre (box, maker)
Jacques Bordier (miniature, enameller)
Materials and Techniques
Chased, engine-turned and enamelled gold and enamel miniature
Marks and inscriptions
Restricted warranty mark for gold, Paris, May 10, 1838 onward
Inscribed 'JB / 165-' [last digit hidden]
Mark of Alexander Leferre, goldsmith registered in Paris before 1806-about 1860
Engraved 'Fossin'
Third standard mark for gold, France, May 10, 1838-June 30, 1919
Dimensions
Length: 8.5 cm, Width: 7 cm, Height: 4 cm
Object history note
Provenance: (The miniature only) Godefroy Collection, sale Paris, 1791. (The miniature only) The Baron Roger, probably sale, Paris, April 17, 1844. (The miniature only) Prince Anatole Demidoff, by 1852. (The Box only) Prince Anatole Demidoff, from 1852. (The Box only) Prince Paul Demidoff, sale, Palais de San Donato, Paris, lot 638, March 15-April 10, 1880. By family tradition, Cornelius Vanderbilt II. Countess Laszlo Szechenyi, neé Gladys Moore Vanderbilt. Mrs A. Talbot Peterson, neé Countess Szechenyi. Sotheby's, Geneva, lot 197, May 17, 1984. S. J. Phillips, London
Historical significance: Signed examples of Bordier's work are rare.
Descriptive line
Enamelled gold snuffbox, the cover set with an enamel miniature. Box: Alexandre Leferre for Jules Fossin, Paris, 1852; Miniature: Jacques Bordier, probably 1651
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Schidlof, Leo R. The Miniature in Europe in the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, Vol. I. Graz: Akademische Druck-u. Verlangsanstalt, 1964, p. 96.
Truman, Charles.The Gilbert collection of gold boxes, Vol. I. Los Angeles (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) 1991, cat. no. 52, pp. 158-60. ISBN.0875871623
Schroder, Timothy, ed. The Gilbert Collection at the V&A. London (V&A Publishing) 2009, pl. 74, p. 93. ISBN9781851775934
Coffin, Sarah and Bodo Hofstetter. Portrait Miniatures in Enamel. London: Philip Wilson Publishers Ltd. in association with the Gilbert Collection, 2000. 168 p., ill. Cat. no. 18, p. 66-67. ISBN 0856675334.
Exhibition History
Gold Boxes from the Gilbert Collection (Los Angeles County Museum of Art 01/01/1986-31/12/1987)
Gold Boxes from the Gilbert Collection (Los Angeles County Museum of Art 01/01/1986-31/12/1987)
Gold Boxes from the Gilbert Collection (Los Angeles County Museum of Art 01/01/1986-31/12/1987)
Labels and date
Snuffbox with printer
Antoine Vitré
Miniature: probably 1651. Box: 1852
Bordier’s work with his brother-in-law Jean Petitot had a
great influence on subsequent enamellers. Two centuries
later, Prince Anatole Demidoff commissioned this
extravagant box as a setting for this rare, signed example
of Bordier’s work.
Miniature: Blois, France; Jacques Bordier (1616–84), after
Philippe de Champaigne (1602–74)
Box: Paris, France; Alexandre Leferre (active 1806–52)
for Jules Fossin (1808–69)
Enamel on metal set in gold and enamel box
Museum no. Loan:Gilbert.459-2008 [2009]
Production Note
Alexandre Leferre for Jules Fossin. The miniature by Jacques Bordier, probably 1651, after Philippe de Champaigne.
Materials
Gold; Enamel
Techniques
Painting; Enamelling; Chasing; Engine turning
Subjects depicted
Laurel; Pilasters; Pansies; Vitré, Antoine
Categories
Containers; Metalwork; Portraits; Jewellery; Enamels
Collection code
MET
