C1770, ANTIQUE 18thC FRENCH LOUIS XV VERNIS MARTIN LACQUER PAINTED SNUFF BOX

  

C1770, ANTIQUE 18thC FRENCH LOUIS XV VERNIS MARTIN LACQUER PAINTED SNUFF BOX. A French Vernis Martin decorated papier mâché circular snuff box, dating to the 18th Century, circa 1770. The red and gold lacquered body is overpainted in white enamel in a repeating Rococo design.

The lid of the box is centred by a gilt metal framed painted roundel of a family scene. Father pushes his Daughter in a wooden cart with Mother watching on. Vernis Martin is a generic term to describe the 18th Century French lacquer produced in the manner and style of the Martin Brothers. Guillaume, the eldest Martin brother, opened a lacquer workshop in Paris around 1710 with his siblings.

Around 1728 the Martin family developed an imitation copal-based lacquer, designed to compete with the popular lacquer work from China and Japan. The workshop is widely recognised for inventing lacquered papier mâché snuffboxes in the 1740s. With a gradual disassociation from East Asian lacquer, the great French tradition of lacquer work decorative arts was born. Diameter: 7.6 cm or 3 inches. Height: 2.8 cm or 1 1/8 inches.

In good antique condition, without serious damage or restoration. Expected signs of use and wear commensurate with age, including oxidisation to the metal frame to the top of the lid. There is also the remnants of a varnished surface visible to the domed glass covering the painting within the lid. Please see the images provided which complement this description.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask and we will be happy to help. We have many other interesting and unusual items for sale, so please take a look. We take great care to package and post your item safely to anywhere in the world for the best possible price.

Each of our items has come from a reputable and traceable source. Buyers can rest assured that we will provide you with a comprehensive, reliable and trustworthy service which we endeavour to make'hassle free' for all our customers. We aim to answer all enquiries within 24 hours. Your satisfaction is our priority.

This item is in the category "Collectables\Tobacciana & Smoking Supplies\Snuff Boxes". The seller is "phoenixchild0" and is located in this country: GB. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Modified Item: No
• Country/Region of Manufacture: France
• Material: Lacquer
• Type: Snuff Boxes
• Sub-Type: Table snuff box
• Brand: Vernis Martin
• Design: Rococo