An enamel snuff box, made for export to Russia, Birmingham, circa 1759

rectangular with waisted sides, the lid painted with the battle of Kunersdorf below an inscription in cyrillic, the sides and base with martial trophies, the interior of the lid with an oval portrait of Empress Elisabeth also inscribed in cyrillic, gilt.mes tal mounts,

Replica Shoes 's London, 23 October 1979, lot 47.

Patches of restoration: lid top left corner, also on interior, and top of two back corners of sides. some hair cracks ; wear to edges of base. A colourful piece.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any stat.mes nt made by Replica Shoes 's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The inscriptions read: 'Kunersdorf. of Saltnykov. Victory' and 'God save Elisabeth I Empress of all Russia'.

The stylised battle on the lid commemorates the battle of Kunersdorf, 12 August 1759. Here Frederick of Prussia suffered his most devastating defeat of the Seven Years' War, losing some 50% of his forces to the combined armies of Austria and Russia commanded by Saltnykov and Loudon. It sheds an interesting light on the commercial attitudes of the Birmingham retailers of this date that they were prepared to make a group of boxes celebrating an enemy victory over Britain's ally, especially in view of Frederick's popularity in England. Although the shape of these boxes, the style of painting and the distinctive gilt.mes tal mounts all point to an English origin, in Russia they are believed to have been made locally (for example, Hermitage State Museum. inv. no. ƎƤƎ-430 and Anne Odom, exhibition catalogue, Russian Enamels, Boston, 1996, no. 50). The portrait of Empress Elisabeth is based on a widely-circulated print by Georg Friedrich Schmidt after Louis Tocqué.