Reference:4258 Jean-Jacques Rousseau Memorial Snuffbox, c. 1790

A tortoiseshell-lined 'bois durci' snuffbox of dark-green colour, the lid impressed with a profile bust of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, to left. Legends: NATURE ET VERITE. Signed below the bust: DUMAREST.F. The whole contained within a raised continuous gilt beaded border. The base of the box has been impressed with a view of Rousseau's island tomb, surrounded by a group of tall trees. Five-line inscription in the exergue: TOMBEAU DE JEAN JACQUES ROUSSEAU . . . MORT A L'AGE DE 66 ENTERRE 4 JUILLET 1778. 78 mm. (3.1 inches) in width; 25 mm. (1 inch) in height.

Condition: Nearly extremely fine.

Notes: Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778), celebrated French philosopher and author. Rambert Dumarest (1760-1806) was a French medallist who worked in Paris and in Birmingham, for Matthew Boulton, engraving various medals and Monneron tokens, one of which carries a bust of Rousseau, but slightly different to that found on this most interesting snuffbox.