Circa 1780
This exceptional enameled gold scent bottle was made in France during the reign of Louis XVI. Crafted in 18K gold, the octagonal body is decorated with rich brown enamel medallions painted en grisaille with classical busts.
Two medallions depict Plato and Hippocrates, while the others likely represent 18th-century thinkers, possibly including Montesquieu. The gray-on-brown enamel was designed to imitate carved cameos, a style popular in the late 18th century.
The palette and technique relate closely to the celebrated Cameo Service commissioned by Catherine II the Great and produced at Sèvres in the late 1770s.
Below are the links to a plate from the Cameo service from the Seattle Art Museum Libraries and other pieces from the service at the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg.
https://samlibraries.omeka.net/items/show/2983
https://artblart.com/tag/sevres-porcelain-factory-cameo-service/
Height is 58 mm (2 1/4 in.)
Width is 25 mm (1 in.)
Weight is 58 grams.
