A gold & enamel Imperial Presentation Snuff Box, probably German or Swiss, circa 1860. The hinged cover of the cartouche shaped box centered with circular panel enameled translucent blue over an unusual hatched ground of flowerheads with the Imperial cypher of Emperor Alexander II engraved, all within chased sprays of flowers, foliage, & strapwork, chased with six flowerheads centered with lapis lazuli, the sides & base engraved with conforming ornament, the interior with partially obscured marks, the flange with engraved inventory number 2464. Dimensions: 1 1/8 x 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 in. (2.9 x 8.9 x 6.3 cm).
Provenance: “Important Gold Boxes,” Parke-Bernet, 20 November 1970, lot 55.