Advanced Search 
Silver-gilt snuff box
Formerly attributed to: Unidentified artist
Jean-Francois-Charles Poisson (French (Paris), active 1775–1806)
Jean-Francois-Charles Poisson (French (Paris), active 1775–1806)
French (Paris)
1786-1787
Object Place: Europe, Paris, France
Medium/Technique
Metal; silver
Dimensions
Weight: 3 oz., 2.2 x 3.8 x 8.3 cm (0.19 lb., 7/8 x 1 1/2 x 3 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
Elizabeth Parke Firestone and Harvey S. Firestone, Jr. Collection
Accession Number1993.282
CollectionsEurope
DescriptionSilver-gilt snuff box, oblong with canted corners, engraved with punched stars and foliage.
Marks
Charge mark: two entrelaced "L" for small works Paris 1782-1789 (twice inside the box and inside the lid).
Discharge mark: a ewer, for export abroad from Paris,1782-1789 (on the exterior part of the rim).
Maker's mark: two partial marks (inside the box, inside the lid) : one shows the first initial "J", the seconds shows partially the second initial "E" or "F". Third letter not visible but contour of the shape shows there is a third letter. Vertical device. Could by attributed to Jean Francois Poisson on the basis of the shape of the contours, of the device and by elimination of all other possibilities. Moreover, J-F Poisson was specialist maker of snuff boxes.
Discharge mark: a ewer, for export abroad from Paris,1782-1789 (on the exterior part of the rim).
Maker's mark: two partial marks (inside the box, inside the lid) : one shows the first initial "J", the seconds shows partially the second initial "E" or "F". Third letter not visible but contour of the shape shows there is a third letter. Vertical device. Could by attributed to Jean Francois Poisson on the basis of the shape of the contours, of the device and by elimination of all other possibilities. Moreover, J-F Poisson was specialist maker of snuff boxes.
ProvenanceRobert Ensko Inc., New York (dealer); 1953, purchased by Martha (Firestone) and William Clay Ford; June 25, 1953; presented as a gift to Elizabeth Parke Firestone (1897-1990) and Harvey S. Firestone, Jr. (1898-1973), Akron, OH and Newport, RI; 1993; gift of the Estate of Elizabeth Parke Firestone and Harvey S. Firestone, Jr. (Accession date: May 26, 1993)