Rare Russian gold and enamel snuffbox, Pierre Theremin, St. Petersburg, 1800

An exquisite and extremely rare gold snuffbox with elegantly cut corners painted with polychrome enamel, with an image based on the painting by the famous English artist William Beechey Portrait of the Children of Sir Francis Ford Giving a Coin to a Beggar Boy (1793) on the hinged lid. William Beechey`s painting, reproduced on the lid of the snuffbox, is a symbol of kindness and charity, depicting children helping a beggar. The enamel miniature is decorated with a rich three-color decor consisting of garlands of flowers painted with dark blue enamel, a belt of geometric figures of a deep dark cobalt color framed by lines of white enamel. The central and side parts of the snuffbox are decorated with enamel fields of sky-blue color with a belt of geometric figures, floral ornament made with a burin on gold and white enamel, which creates a harmonious contrast with the gold body. Attributed to Pierre Theremin, St. Petersburg, circa 1800 Hallmarks: city hallmark Material: 14K gold, polychrome enamel. Dimensions 8.5 x 7 x 2 cm. Total weight: 114 g.