Were this restored, it would easily fetch $2k range. It is a mid-1800s French kiln-fired enamel snuff or jewelry box of superb quality, hand applied raised gold enamels accenting over the elegant guilloche enamel, the interior complete with cobalt enamel, and a gorgeous little signed portrait miniature set in a locket-form cartouche up top - the only problem is it is damaged. You can see it needs a talented enamelist to do some restoration work on the bottom half of the snuff box. It's been dropped and enamel has cracked and flaked off (see images). I believe the work is sterling silver with vermeil on the exposed parts of the frame, making it gold in appearance. The box is fine quality artisanship, but I have yet to find silver marks so I can't be positive without silver testing. It is possible it could be Austrian, fine quality. Again, I'm downsizing, selling this one as it is, and will simply pass it along at my wholesale price so you have plenty of room for restoration costs. Measurements are noted on the photos.
Damaged condition, fine quality work, needs an experienced enamelist to do restoration to the losses on the bottom half. We thought of separating the lid from box bottom, framing it as it is, but in fact, it so deserves to be restored to its former glory, so passing it along. The silver is 'machined' in the guilloche manner, as you can see, so once the enamel is fired over it, the pattern shimmers and shines through the enamels. Will be an incredible and valuable box once restored.
