The maker’s mark partly visible could be that of Jean-Joseph Barrière (fl.1763-1793), who was known for his boxes decorated with enamel that simulate hardstone like lapis lazuli, as seen here, a style of design that he used repeatedly with small variations.

Several comparable boxes with simulated stones are held in public collections, including a box in the Wallace Collection, London (G49) decorated with simulated malachite panels, and a box in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (Jones Bequest 913-1882) with simulated pink marble and green dashes of enamel to the border. A further oval snuff box dated 1767-1768, decorated with engine-turned peak pattern and small reserves enameled to simulate lapis-lazuli comparable in style to the present lot, was sold Christie’s, London, 12 November 2020, lot 86.