A BIRMINGHAM OR SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE ENAMEL TOBACCO BOX

Circa 1770
The cover depicting a scene of ‘Summer’ after Franz de Paula Ferg and engraved by Thomas Major, the waisted white ground sides and base with flower-sprays, with gilt-metal mounts, 13cm wide;6.5cm deep; 4cm high

Provenance:

Viscomtesse de Monduit collection, Sotheby's 11 December 1961, lot 135

Fine English Enamels, The Property of Lady Mullens, Christies, London 18 March 1987, lot 486

Condition report:

- Some damage to two corners of the cover, chips and cracks
- Base and sides with scratches and cracks
- Cover slightly bent and not shutting down tight

- Collection label to the interior

Franz de Paula Ferg (1669-1740), was a Viennese painter who study the engravings of Jacques Callot, figure and landscape painting under Hans Graf and Josef Orient. He gained a reputation for small detailed landscapes, peasant scenes and seascapes (having worked at Meissen at some point when travelling across Europe from 1718). From 1724 he lived in London, where his work was popular. Apaprently he made designs for the Chelsea porcelain factory, but these were probably based on prints after his drawings and used after his death.