Lot 811
Lot 811
COLLECTION ANDRÉ DUBONNET
TABATIÈRE SUISSE EN OR ET ÉMAIL

GENÈVE, VERS 1800, POINÇON D'ORFÈVRE R.P.C SOUS COURONNE

Price Realised EUR 9,450
Estimate
EUR 7,000 - EUR 10,000
Closed: 15 Apr 2025
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TABATIÈRE SUISSE EN OR ET ÉMAIL

GENÈVE, VERS 1800, POINÇON D'ORFÈVRE R.P.C SOUS COURONNE

Price Realised EUR 9,450
Closed: 15 Apr 2025
Price Realised EUR 9,450
Closed: 15 Apr 2025
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Details
Rectangulaire à pans coupés, émaillée en bleu nuit sur fond guilloché, le couvercle centré d'une plaque ovale émaillée d’une scène figurant des enfants jouant aux billes dans un jardin sur fond rose opalescent d'’après William Hamilton (1751-1801), les bords ciselés de gerbes de fleurs partiellement émaillées en blanc sur un fond noir opaque, poinçon dans le fond : orfèvre ; sur la gorge : contrôle français posterieur
L. 7,8 cm. (318 in.)
Poids brut: 71 gr. (2 oz. 2 dwt.)
Provenance
André Dubonnet, puis par descendance.
FURTHER DETAILS
A SWISS ENAMELLED GOLD SNUFF-BOX
GENEVA, CIRCA 1800, MAKER'S MARK RPC UNDER CORONET
Rectangular with cut corners, enamelled in night blue on engine-turned ground, the cover centred by an oval medallion figuring children playing marbles in wooded landscape within an opaque black enamel ground chased with flower sprays partly enamelled in white, marked in base; with later French control marks on flange

The scene featured on the cover depicting children playing marbles is after an engraving by William Hamilton (1751-1801), Royal Academician also remembered for his prints of popular and literary scenes commissioned by London print galleries and well received by the public.

André Dubonnet (1897–1980) was a French aviator, athlete, race car driver, and inventor. The grandson of Joseph Dubonnet, founder of the Dubonnet company, he inherited a considerable fortune.
During World War I, he served as a pilot and achieved six aerial victories. After the war, he competed in Olympic bobsleigh events and raced for Bugatti and Hispano-Suiza. Passionate about innovation, he developed the Dubonnet suspension system, which he sold to General Motors, and conducted aerodynamic studies, commissioning unique cars such as the 1938 Hispano-Suiza Dubonnet Xenia.
Despite his successes, he came close to bankruptcy after investing in solar energy. Married three times, he was named a Knight of the Legion of Honor in 1936.
Brought to you by
Elisa OberHead of Sale, Associate Specialist
A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.

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Collections : Entre Orient et Occident au XVIIIe siècle, regard d'un amateur éclairé & Souvenirs des princes Murat