BOX IN THE SHAPE OF A LADY'S HEAD
Creator(s): Unknown (Goldsmith)
Currently in storage
About this object
Carved from honey-colored agate, this box in the form of a woman's head must have been a sentimental trifle. Around the neck, an inscription on white enamel reads "Marchez sur roses et pensez à moi " ("Walk on roses and think of me"). This delightful trinket epitomizes the art of pleasing that was so prevalent in polite society of the eighteenth century.
The box is made in the form of a woman's head which is carved from a honey-colored agate. Small rose-cut diamonds are used for the eyes. The hair is dressed in an 18th century fashion with three combs. An applied gold, braided bowknot adorns the throat. The gold collar is chased with a wavy scroll bottom and a band of white enamel that bears the words "Marchez sur des roses et pensez à moi" ("Walk on roses and think of me"). The lid, also in agate, is decorated with a scene of Venus and Cupid on a cloud, chased in gold openwork. Venus holds a garland of roses and Cupid the tilted vase. The thumbpiece is set with two small diamonds.
- Object name:
- BOX IN THE SHAPE OF A LADY'S HEAD
- Made from:
- Agate -- gold -- enamel -- diamonds
- Made in:
- London, England
- Date made:
- ca. 1760
- Size:
- H. 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm)
Detailed information for this item
- Catalog number:
- 11.122
- Class:
- GOLD
- Signature marks:
- MARK: illegible mark struck twice [on lid's inner rim] INSCRIPTION: MARCHEZ SUR DES ROSES ET PENSEZ A MOI ("walk amongst the roses and think of me") [around neck]
- Credit line:
- Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973