MARK OF SENÉ & NEISSER, GENEVA, 1805-1807

This box is the work of Sené et Neisser whose collaboration had started in 1798 after Neisser’s marriage to Louise Debary which had prompted Neisser to joined his wife’s brother in law’s bijouterie business Philippe Sené, known as Sené & Detalla. Before this, Henri Christian Neisser had trained in Hanau, where he was born, before moving to Geneva in 1783, where he worked as a compagnon bijoutier for Isaac Forget for 16 years. Around 1805 Detalla left and the firm became known as Sené & Neisser, registering a maker’s mark S.N in a horizontal lozenge according to the new French regulations which came into force at the beginning of 1807. However in 1808 following the death of Sené, Henri Neisser registered his own mark which was eventually withdrawn, presumably on Neisser’s retirement, in July 1830.

This type of shaped gold box enamelled with an animal, fruit or musical instruments was extremely desirable for the Chinese and Ottoman market. However the choice of serpent slithering amongst fruits and flowers indicates that such box was probably intended for China where serpents are traditionally associated with auspice and honour as well as good fortune. Equally the two peaches featured in the forefront is a reminder that this fruits often featured on Chinese porcelain, is a popular symbol that stands for immortality and unity.

A comparable snuff-box by Sené & Neisser enamelled with a leopard and a serpent was sold at Sotheby's, London, 10 December 2020, lot 31.