Gold and enamel snuff box, maker FJ, Berlin or Hanau, circa 1800
A magnificent early 19th century gold and enamel snuff box, maker's mark FJ crowned incuse (Freres Jordan), Berlin or Hanau,
circa 1800
​
Measuring 10 centimeters in length
​
Of shallow rectangular form with rounded corners, the cover set with a miniature enameled plaque en pleine depicting a mother and child in a wooded landscape, the sides and base set with turquoise enameled ground stamped at intervals with gold fleur-de-lis and within white enamel fillets, the outer sable gold borders with scrolling foliage.
 
Marked inside the base and cover with maker's mark FJ crowned incuse, the town mark for Vienna, interlace S, sunray and monogram mark, sunbursts. The flange stamped with inventory number 4686.
​
Literature: 
See cat. no.44 in Charles Truman, The Gilbert Collection of Gold Boxes, vol.2, for a box with similar marks and a discussion of the FJ initials.
​
Makers Mark:
Formerly thought to represent the goldsmith Francois Juanin (Geneva) it is now suggested that FJ crowned incuse refers to the Freres Jordan (Berlin or Hanau).