A Saint Cloud gold-mounted snuff box in the form of a recumbent horse, circa 1740-50. Photo Bonhams

Mounted with a chased and engraved gold bridle and saddle and diamond chips in the eyes, mounted with an agate cover, the mounts twice marked with 'Eagle's head' guarantee mark (petite garantie) for Paris, after 1838, 5.3cm high, 5.2cm across. Estimate: £3,000 - 4,000, € 3,400 - 4,600, US$ 4,900 - 6,600

Provenance: The Estate of Stephen Richard Currier and Audrey Bruce Currier, sold Christie's East, New York, 30 January 1985, lot 302

Literature: Beaucamp-Markowsky 1988, no. 85;

Exhibited: Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum, 1985-2003;
London, Gilbert Collection, Somerset House, 2003-2008;
Barnard Castle, Co. Durham, The Bowes Museum, 2008-2010

Bonhams. The Helmut Joseph Collection of Important Snuff Boxes, 5 Jul 2011. London, New Bond Street www.bonhams.com