The enamelled boxes are of two kinds: there are some in which the gold ground is seme with appliques of gold cut out according to the outlines of a given design, and ornamented with paintings in opaque enamels; others are enamelled directly upon the gold work itself, in which the frames in chased relief only permit the metal to appear. We shall not consider as appliques the medallions painted by Petitot, or in his style, and which, often set in a frame of diamonds, or, occasionally, placed under rock-crystal, appear on the centre of the lid. In these the medallion is not a part of the box, it is one rare work added to another. Most frequently these enamelled medallions are brought out by grounds of guilloche gold : some of them, painted by Degault, imitate ivory bas-reliefs; others, simple grisailles, are by Larue; among the copies of pictures are peasantry by Teniers and other masters of the Flemish school; pastoral subjects in the style of Watteau and of Lancret, and even flowers.

Box in light tortoise-shell pose d' or ornamented with a miniature. Period of Louis XVI. (Collection of Dr. Piogey.).

As to the medallions set in the lids of the boxes, they afford us materials for a curious study of those artists who devoted themselves to reproducing in enamels, paintings after the manner of Petitot. We shall give hereafter a list of these men, who added a noticeable contingent to portrait painting, its history, and styles.