A Royal presentation gold box by Matthieu Philippe, Paris 1776-77, miniature of Gustaf III by Johan Georg Henrichsen.
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18K gold en trois couleurs, oval, the sides with four trophy groupes within ovals, the lid set with an oval gouache miniature portrait of King Gustav III, the lid´s inside engraved: "DONNE PAR S.M.LE ROY DE SUEDE GUSTAVE III À GERARD DEVISME EN 1777". Inside struck with makers mark, year letter, charge and decharge by Jean-Baptiste Fouache, and later French import marks. Length 8, height 3 cm, weight 146 gram.
Provenance
Gift from King Gustav III 1777 to
Gerard De Visme (1725-1797) on the occasion of his brother, England's envoy in Stockholm, Lewis De Visme's sudden death in 1776.
Later acquired by Consul General Ragnar Söderberg (1900-1974)
Exhibitions
Catherine the Great & Gustav III, Nationalmuseum, Stockholm 9/10 1998-28/2 1999, catalogue no 562, ill. at p. 549 in the catalogue.
More information
According to the inscription, a gift from King Gustaf III to Gerard De Visme in 1777, brother of the deceased English envoy in Stockholm Lewis de Visme. Because of his social talents and disinterest in intrigue, he was much liked by the court and the king. After his death, the king presented this box to the brother as an expression of his appreciation for the late diplomat.