Lot 183

Jean-Louis Richter zugeschr. / attr. to

Happy Cows

A charming Geneva snuff box in three-colour gold with polychrome enamelling

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An exquisitely painted miniature enamel alpine landscape with two cowherds decorates the hinged lid. It is of supreme quality and likely the work of famous enamel painter Jean-Louis Richter. The brightly coloured horizon with orange enamel on guilloche ground conveys a gentle evening mood. Two exquisitely engraved yellow and green gold borders frame the miniature painting. The oblong, gently bulging box is engraved all over and ornamented with elegant borders. A contoured lip opens the box.

Jean-Louis Richter (1766-1841) learned his art under David-Etienne-Roux and Philippe-Samuel-Théodore Roux. He specialized in landscapes, lake-side scenes and marine-scapes, often representing ships in a harbor or battles with Men-of-War, but also portraits and hunting scenes. Richter did not often sign his work, but he style and quality of his paintings make them clearly recognizable as being of his hand. He applied his art principally to watch cases and snuff boxes and these were largely destined for the Chinese, Turkish, British and Italian markets.