Sandbanks Antiques has dated this French Gold Snuff Box to the 19th Century.
The box features exquisite three-colour gold decoration, utilizing distinctive yellow, rose, and green gold alloys to achieve magnificent depth, contrast, and texture across all surfaces. The cover is intricately embellished with an outer frame of chased floral garlands, roses, and acanthus scrolls, enclosing a central panel of flawlessly executed, fine engine-turned (guilloché) cross-hatch patterning.
The base of the box mirrors this sophisticated aesthetic with targeted floral sprays chasing the corners of an equally crisp engine-turned panel. The sides feature geometric diaper-pattern engine turning with a prominent, brightly polished thumbpiece to the front profile.
The interior boasts a rich, warmly reflective original gold finish, displaying standard French guarantee and maker's marks as shown in pictures
Condition & Specifications
Maker: Louis-François Tronquoy (Paris, maker's mark active c. 1821 onwards)
Date: Circa 1825–1840
Origin: Paris, France
Material: 18-Karat Solid Three-Colour Gold (Yellow, Rose, and Green Gold)
Dimensions: 8.3 cm × 5.5 cm
Weight: 98.0 grams
Condition: Presented in good antique condition. The engine-turning remains distinct and tactile across both the lid and base, and the chased foliate borders retain lovely definition. In keeping with its authentic 19th-century history, the box displays minor, characterful signs of light use and superficial handling marks consistent with age.
These slight nuances do not detract from the piece's structural integrity or aesthetic appeal; the internal hinge remains perfectly flush, strong, and closes with a tight, secure snap shut.
About the Goldsmith: Louis-François Tronquoy is highly celebrated by collectors for his premium boîtes à mouches and snuff boxes produced during the Bourbon Restoration and early July Monarchy. His workshop's ability to seamlessly integrate multi-coloured gold alloys with mathematically precise guilloché work makes his pieces mainstay features in elite museum collections and premier international auction houses.
Sandbanks Antiques has dated this French Gold Snuff Box to the 19th Century.
Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Sandbanks Antiques Profile Page
Antique 19th Century French 18k Solid Gold Three-colour Snuff Box by Louis-françois Tronquoy, Paris C.1830 - 98 Grams
