Scottish snuffbox made from a porcelain shell mounted in sil - Lot 74

Scottish snuffbox made from a porcelain shell mounted in silver and engraved with “Sur l’Espérance” – 18th century A rare 18th-century Scottish snuff box crafted from a porcelain shell (Cypraea tigris) mounted in silver and transformed into a snuff box. The hinged lid, finely engraved with floral motifs and a heraldic lion accompanied by the motto “Sur l’Espérance,” attests to the high quality of the silversmith’s work. This type of object, prized by collectors and enthusiasts of natural curiosities at the time, elegantly combines an exotic specimen with an engraved silver setting. The metal settings follow the shape of the shell and allow the compartment for snuff to be opened. The shell has an old crack visible on the upper part. Details: Height: 5 cm – Width: 10 cm – Weight: 0.120 kg.