A mid-18^th century German enamel novelty bonbonniere or snuff box, Berlin circa 1740 probably by Fromery, with Louis XV French silver mounts Pairs 1738-44

In the form of an egg, white ground with gilt raised decoration of leafy roses, insects, and rosettes. The hinged lid with plain thumbpiece marked with the discharge mark of Louis Robin for small silver.

Length – 6.5 cm / 2.6 inches

“The House of Fromery was founded by the Huguenot goldsmiths, Pierre Fromery, whose son Alexander, perfected a highly desirable individual style of decoration which is instantly distinguishable. It consists of a white enamel ground with gold or silver raised decoration, occasionally interspersed with painted enamel colours …” Susan Benjamin ‘English enamel Boxes from the Eighteenth to the Twentieth Centuries’ 1978 pp. 96-97