Coffer shaped, the base, sides and cover of rock crystal carved to imitate basket weave, the mounts enamelled with a band of pearls below guilloche and scalloped borders, engraved on flange with initial P, marked on flange and cover mount; guarantee and maker
2¹⁄₄ in. (5,5 cm.) long
gross weight: 2 oz. 7 dwt. (74 gr.)

Christie's, New York, 21 October 1993, lot 86.

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Lot Essay

Alexandre-Jean-Marie Leferre (active around 1837-after 1852) was one of the best known members of an established family of Parisian goldsmiths. A jeweler and setter, he registered his mark in 1837 and his snuff-boxes are generally in the 18th century style often mounted "à cage" and incorporating some other medium such as hardstone, marquetry, mother-of-pearl or ivory.
Alexandre Leferre may have been the descendant of Jean-Louis Lefèvre - the spelling having changed over the generations - a goldsmith working in Paris between 1781 and 1791. His father was probably Jean-Louis Leferre, a goldsmith who chose a head of Mercury as a symbol succeeded by his widow Catherine-Adélaïde Leferre, then by their son Alexandre-Jean-Marie.
The last known snuff-box from A.J.M Leferre was delivered in 1852 to Jules Fossin for Prince Anatole Demidoff.