An exceptional rectangular gold snuff box created in the workshop of the Frères Jordan in Hanau, representing an outstanding example of German decorative arts at the turn of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Crafted in 14-carat gold, the box is richly adorned with refined enamel decoration, combining architectural clarity of form with painterly sophistication.
The lid is decorated with a finely executed miniature painted in the en pleine enamel technique. The scene is based on the composition “Tom and his Pigeons” (1792) by the English artist John Russell (1745–1806), depicting a child rescuing pigeons – a sentimental allegory of kindness, compassion, and moral virtue. The miniature is distinguished by delicate facial modelling, subtle tonal transitions, and meticulous attention to detail characteristic of late 18th-century English genre painting.
The central enamel painting is framed by an elegant ornamental border featuring green ivy motifs rendered in two-tone enamel and set within finely chased gold bands, complemented by panels of white enamel. The sides of the box are decorated with white enamel fields divided by vertical gold bands, creating a harmonious, architecturally balanced rhythm. Floral ornaments engraved in gold and highlighted with polychrome enamel further enhance the decorative richness and attest to the exceptional craftsmanship.
The interior surfaces of both lid and base are fully gilded and finely polished, preserving the warm lustre of the precious metal.
Hallmarks: Maker’s mark “FJ” beneath a crown (Frères Jordan); Vienna city mark; additional intertwined “S” mark; sunburst mark; monogram; inventory number “5340” on the flange.
Dimensions: 7.4 × 6.9 × 2 cm.
Weight: 74 g.
Condition: Good. Minor age-related wear to the enamel, without losses or cracks. Gold with light, consistent patina. Hinged lid functions smoothly.
Provenance: Private European collection.
Gold and enamel snuff boxes of the late 18th and early 19th centuries occupied a prominent place in European courtly and bourgeois culture, serving not only as functional objects but also as symbols of status, refinement, and intellectual taste. Hanau was one of the principal centres of German goldsmithing during this period, rivaling Paris and Geneva in artistic innovation and technical excellence.
The Frères Jordan workshop was among the most distinguished ateliers in the region, renowned for high-purity gold, complex enamel programmes, and the incorporation of painted miniatures inspired by contemporary European art. The use of English genre scenes reflects the cosmopolitan nature of the decorative arts market at the turn of the century.
The subject of a child and pigeons, popular in late 18th-century English art, conveyed moral and sentimental values aligned with Enlightenment ideals. Its translation into enamel miniature form transformed the snuff box into a portable work of art carrying ethical and aesthetic meaning. The ivy ornament, symbolising fidelity and continuity, further reinforces the symbolic richness of the design.
Comparable gold and enamel snuff boxes are preserved today in major museum and private collections and are regarded as benchmark examples of European decorative arts, illustrating the synthesis of painting, engraving, and goldsmithing at a particularly refined moment in artistic history.
Overall good condition. Enamel surfaces well preserved, without cracks or losses, showing minimal signs of age. Gold with natural patina, no structural deformation. Hinges intact and fully functional.
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.
