Fine Enamel Bonbonniere of Lovebirds, Probably 18th Century Bilston

A very fine enamel bonbonniere of love birds, in exceptional condition, probably 18th-century from Bilston, South Staffordshire, England, beautifully decorated with two “kissing” lovebirds on grass, with raised details on their feathers, the lid with a rural scene of lovebirds with one on a nest. Gilt (worn) metal mounts. 5cm (2in) high Why “probably” 18th-century Bilston: The condition is exceptionally good. Copper is a relatively soft metal that expands and contracts with temperature changes. Enamel is, effectively, glass and, therefore, brittle, which the movement of the copper substrate tends to crack, leaving hairline stress cracks visible on the surface of the enamel. Almost all unrestored 18th-century Staffordshire enamels show cracking to a greater or lesser extent. We examined this bonbonniere under a powerful loupe and under ultraviolet light, and found one tight hairline across the blue bird’s back/tail but no other external issues on the body of the box or its lid. Internally, there is only one crack in the white enamel of the inside of the box, which appears to have been caused during firing. Apart from some expected green leaching of the copper through the white enamel of the interior and the worn gilding of the metal mounts, there do not appear to be any other condition issues. We did not find any signs of restoration. It is either an 18th-century Staffordshire enamel in exceptional condition or later, which would make it late 19th-century and by Esme Samson of Paris, who were notorious for copying 18th-century English enamels among many other items. However, we have seen examples of this bonbonniere before, all of which were ascribed to Bilston, with none to Samson. Some of those examples were heavily cracked. Also, there is no Samson crossed “S” mark, nor the giveaway “spur” on the hinge. The enamel has also been applied more thickly than we have seen on other, more heavily cracked Staffordshire bonbonnieres, which may explain the lack of cracking on this one. We have a principle that if we are in any doubt about something, we say so. On the balance of probabilities, we think this bonbonniere is 18th-century Bilston but are not 100% certain, and it is priced accordingly. Condition: One tight hairline across the back/tail of the blue bird. Small firing crack internally. Gilding on metal mounts worn. Shipping is free for the UK, Eu, Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. For any other destinations, please request a quote (it may still be free).