Mid-18th century snuff box formed as a part open oyster shell applied to the cover with seaweed and shells – estimate €15,000-20,000 at the Jean-Marc Delvaux sale in Drouot.
Image copyright: Delvaux/Drouot
Faniel was artistic director at the firm Christofle and a collector and author on early French silver.
The 180-lot sale consists primarily of silverware and objets de vitrine, including examples from many provincial French cities, but also features a selection of scientific instruments and base metal objects.
The March 29 auction opens with a selection of snuff boxes, among which is a mid-18th century example naturalistically formed as a part open oyster shell applied to the cover with seaweed and shells. Dating from c.1755, it has marks for the master goldsmith from Blois, Bernard Bellavoine, who is known to have made two other examples of this unusual oyster shell form. The 2¾in (7cm) box has an estimate of €15,000-20,000.
Caster marked for the goldsmith Nicolas-François Chéron and for Paris, 1714-15 - estimate €30,000-40,000 at the Jean-Marc Delvaux sale in Drouot.
Image copyright: Delvaux/Drouot
Another early piece of silver in the Delvaux sale is a rather grand caster marked for the goldsmith Nicolas-François Chéron and for Paris, 1714-15.
The 9in (23.5cm) high baluster-shaped piece has a base delicately engraved with foliage and birds on a matt ground and applied with two female terms. The cover is moulded with gadrooning and pierced with stylised leaves and geometric motifs.
The caster has a provenance to the collection of Camille Plantevignes and is estimated at €30,000-40,000.
