An early 19th century German gold and enamel snuff box of an Allegory of Time, maker’s mark obscured JT?, probably Hanau circa 1810-30

Of rectangular form with curved corners, the lid inset with an enamel plague of an allegory of time, showing Time amongst the four stages of man; infancy, adulthood, elderly and death, framed in opaque blue enamel against a reserve chased and matted foliate scrolls. The sides and base similarly worked engine turned diamond work. Marked to the inside base and lid with makers mark, flower head, shield and a lion rampant, the flange with numeral 1202.

Length – 9 cm / 3.5 inches

Weight – 145 grams / 4.66 ozt

The present lot bears strong physical resemblance and marks to two previously known examples that have been attributed to an unknown Hanau worker with bijoutier mark of a GT incuse, unlike the mark found on this example. The example sold at Christies (King Street 29th November 2016 Lot 25) possibly shows Oenone attending Paris wounded by the arrow of Philoctetes, the other at Sotheby’s (New York, 14th October 2015 lot 187) shows Cornelia, Mother of the Gracci. Both examples are worked in similar ways with the chased and matted gold work as well as reserves and frames of opaque blue enamel. The Christie's example with numerals 480 to the flange and the Sotheby’s example with numerals 991 as well as the same additional marks as on this present lot. It can be suggested that the firm changed hands later on in its production line should the numbering system relate to production.