Skip to main content

Items Similar to 3 Agate Boxes With Gilt Pomponne Mounts, Antique, 19th Century

19th Century Agate and Dore Bronze Snuff Box

19th Century Agate and Dore Bronze Snuff Box

Onyx, Champlevé and Gilt Bronze Jewelry Box, Louis XV Style, France, circa 1890

Onyx, Champlevé and Gilt Bronze Jewelry Box, Louis XV Style, France, circa 1890

19th CENTURY AGATE JEWELLERY BOX

19th CENTURY AGATE JEWELLERY BOX

19th C. European Gilt Bronze, Banded Agate & Rouge Marble Boxes - Group of 3

19th C. European Gilt Bronze, Banded Agate & Rouge Marble Boxes - Group of 3

English 18th Century Gold-Mounted Agate Snuff-Box

English 18th Century Gold-Mounted Agate Snuff-Box

A French Banded Agate and Ormolu Trinket Box, 19th Century

A French Banded Agate and Ormolu Trinket Box, 19th Century

Video Loading

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 13

Unknown
3 Agate Boxes With Gilt Pomponne Mounts, Antique, 19th Century

$1,882.76

£1,396.44

€1,600

CA$2,641.79

A$2,684.28

CHF 1,520.71

MX$32,661.12

NOK 17,831.78

SEK 17,928.93

DKK 12,208.30

About the Item

Set of three French 19th Century oval agate boxes with fine engine engraved gilt mounts in Pomponne which is an alloy developed by two goldsmiths, Turgot and Daumy, who set up shop at the Hôtel de Pomponne on Rue de la Verrerie in Paris at the end of the 18th century. It is a copper-based metal designed to imitate gold or silver. Louis XVI granted them a manufacturing privilege in 1785, although until then, all imitations were prohibited. A small collection of three very lovely boxes which would probably originally have been used for snuff. Each box is set with a piece of specimen agate to the lid and a contrasting piece to the base all held by very fine engine turned and worked gilt metal mounts. The eighteenth century, most specifically within French and Spanish aristocratic circles, saw the growth of a specific type of tobacco usage called “snuff.” Snuff was a type of ground tobacco that could be ingested by way of inhalation through the nose. Because it was a small, fine substance, it needed a vessel to contain it. Snuff and the snuff-boxes it was placed into became important expressions of class. The act of taking snuff and how one presented themselves while doing had unique social implications (Jacobson). The ability to own a snuff box and, consequently, ingest the drug itself was a marker of wealth. Originally manufactured for utility, it became an important symbol or ornament and personal representation. Apart from large silver or wood containers (mulls), which usually stood at the table at home or at public places, a pocket snuff box, which contained several grams of powder, had become a necessity. The airtight containers that had been originally intended to protect snuff from drying, became the jewelled works of art and the symbol of opulence of the upper classes. The best craftsmen, jewellers and artisans made splendid snuff boxes out of silver, gold, white-metal, mineral stones and wood. Such fancy materials as mother-of-pearl, ivory, tortoise-shell, mammoth tooth were also widely used for the creation of this fashionable accessory. In 18th century Europe, Parisian jewellers led in the production of luxury tabatières (snuff boxes in French). Jean Ducrollay, Joseph Etienne Blerzy, Jean-Marie Teron were the important goldsmiths of the industry before the Revolution. Paintings in grisaille on enamelled panels were set on the 18K gold and silver boxes, that were richly encrusted with precious stones. The decoration was usually complemented with borders of pearls or floral motifs.

Dimensions:
Height: 0.79 in (2 cm)Diameter: 2.86 in (7.25 cm)
Medium:
Brass,Precious Stone
Period:
19th Century
Condition:
Some marks and patination to the gilding. There are natural striations and markings in the agate but no actual cracks. Box lengths are 5.75cm, 6.75cm and 7.25cm.
Gallery Location:
Cotignac, FR
Reference Number:
Seller: LG/AgateSet1stDibs: LU1430216378192

More From This Seller

Agate Box Antique 19th Century With Gilt Pomponne Mounts

Agate Box Antique 19th Century With Gilt Pomponne Mounts

Agate Box Antique 19th Century With Gilt Pomponne Mounts

Located in Cotignac, FR

French 19th Century oval agate box with fine engine engraved gilt mounts in Pomponne which is an alloy developed by two goldsmiths, Turgot and Daumy, who set up shop at the Hôtel de ...

Category

19th Century More Art

Materials

Brass

Agate Box With Gilt Pomponne Mounts, Antique, 19th Century

Agate Box With Gilt Pomponne Mounts, Antique, 19th Century

Agate Box With Gilt Pomponne Mounts, Antique, 19th Century

Located in Cotignac, FR

French 19th Century rectangular agate box with fine engine engraved gilt mounts in gilt brass or Pomponne which is an alloy developed by two goldsmiths, Turgot and Daumy, who set up...

Category

19th Century Other Art Style More Art

Materials

Brass

Agate Box Antique 19th Century Oval With Gilt Pomponne Mounts.

Agate Box Antique 19th Century Oval With Gilt Pomponne Mounts.

Agate Box Antique 19th Century Oval With Gilt Pomponne Mounts.

Located in Cotignac, FR

French 19th Century oval agate box with fine engine engraved gilt mounts in Pomponne which is an alloy developed by two goldsmiths, Turgot and Daumy, who set up shop at the Hôtel de ...

Category

19th Century Other Art Style More Art

Materials

Brass

Agate Box With Gilt Pomponne Mounts, Antique, 19th Century

Agate Box With Gilt Pomponne Mounts, Antique, 19th Century

Agate Box With Gilt Pomponne Mounts, Antique, 19th Century

Located in Cotignac, FR

French 19th Century striated agate box with fine engine engraved gilt mounts and base, in Pomponne which is an alloy developed by two goldsmiths, Turgot and Daumy, who set up shop at...

Category

19th Century Other Art Style More Art

Materials

Brass

Lapis Lazuli Box With Gilt Pomponne Mounts, Antique, 19th Century

Lapis Lazuli Box With Gilt Pomponne Mounts, Antique, 19th Century

Lapis Lazuli Box With Gilt Pomponne Mounts, Antique, 19th Century

Located in Cotignac, FR

French 19th Century Lapis Lazuli set box with engine engraved gilt mounts, in Pomponne which is an alloy developed by two goldsmiths, Turgot and Daumy, who set up shop at the Hôtel d...

Category

19th Century Other Art Style More Art

Materials

Brass

Pair Japanese Lacquered Maki-e Meiji Period Cabinets 漆器蒔絵塗物漆塗

Pair Japanese Lacquered Maki-e Meiji Period Cabinets 漆器蒔絵塗物漆塗

Pair Japanese Lacquered Maki-e Meiji Period Cabinets 漆器蒔絵塗物漆塗

Located in Cotignac, FR

A pair of Meiji period, late 19th Century Lacquerware (漆器, shikki) miniature cabinets on stands. The decorative panels are of very fine quality. The cabinets are a 'true pair' that i...

Category

Late 19th Century Edo More Art

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

You May Also Like

3 Victorian Snuff Boxes Gilt Metal and Banded Agate

3 Victorian Snuff Boxes Gilt Metal and Banded Agate

3 Victorian Snuff Boxes Gilt Metal and Banded Agate

Located in Palm Springs, CA

3 beautiful antique Victorian snuff or trinket boxes with gilt metal sides and banded or moss agate tops and bottoms. They have some beautiful coloring. The metal is not marked so l...

Category

Antique 19th Century British Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Agate, Metal

19th Century Agate Box with Gilt Bronze Mounts

19th Century Agate Box with Gilt Bronze Mounts

19th Century Agate Box with Gilt Bronze Mounts

Located in Madrid, ES

Charming and refined 19th-century agate box, crafted from beautifully figured natural agate and mounted with elegant gilt bronze fittings. Small in scale yet highly decorative, this ...

Category

Antique 1870s Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Agate

Set of 3 Victorian Snuff or Trinket Boxes Brass with Agate

Set of 3 Victorian Snuff or Trinket Boxes Brass with Agate

Set of 3 Victorian Snuff or Trinket Boxes Brass with Agate

Located in Palm Springs, CA

3 beautiful antique Victorian snuff or trinket boxes with gilt metal or brass sides and banded or moss agate tops and bottoms. They have some beautiful coloring. The metal is not m...

Category

Antique 19th Century British Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Agate, Brass

18th Century Italian Agate Snuff Box, Gilt Metal, Four Compartments

18th Century Italian Agate Snuff Box, Gilt Metal, Four Compartments

18th Century Italian Agate Snuff Box, Gilt Metal, Four Compartments

Located in New York, NY

Agate and gilt metal snuff box. Rare and exceptional antique Italian four-compartment tabacchiera of sculpted agate and gilt metal in the manner of Valadier. Four lidded panels open ...

Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Louis XVI Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Agate, Metal

Gold-Mounted Agate Box, German, 18th Century

Gold-Mounted Agate Box, German, 18th Century

Gold-Mounted Agate Box, German, 18th Century

Located in New York, NY

Gold-mounted agate box, German, 18th century.

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier German Decorative Boxes

19th C. European Gilt Bronze, Banded Agate & Rouge Marble Boxes - Group of 3

19th C. European Gilt Bronze, Banded Agate & Rouge Marble Boxes - Group of 3

19th C. European Gilt Bronze, Banded Agate & Rouge Marble Boxes - Group of 3

Located in St. Louis, MO

An exquisite, curated collection of three 19th-century European lapidary table boxes, including two natural banded agate boxes and a fine French rouge marble footed box, circa 1860–1...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Neoclassical Decorative Boxes

Materials

Agate, Marble, Brass

More Ways To Browse

Box With Stones

Grisaille Paintings

Antique Silver Containers

Antique Agate Box

Mother Of Pearl With Tortoise Shell

Mother Of Pearl Snuff Box

Grisaille Enamel

Mother Of Pearl Silver Snuff Box

Tabatiere Antique

Tortoise Shell And Ivory Box

Emilio Villalba

Estella Fransbergen

View All Popular More Art Searches