Adrien Jean Maximilien VACHETTE (1753-1839) - Paris Snuffbox in banded agate and finely chased 18k (750 thousandths) yellow gold by the famous silversmith specialising in snuffboxes from the late 18th-early 19th century. Presence of the guarantee hallmark and the master goldsmith hallmark. Superb agate with concentric heart. Very good condition. From an old Belgian family. Dimensions: 8.1 x 4.8 x 2.3 cm. Gross weight : 127 g. Adrien Jean Maximilien Vachette is one of the goldsmiths who left their mark on their time thanks to their very special expertise. The expertise of Adrien Vachette, who worked in Paris from 1779 to 1839, lay in his perfect knowledge of hard stones and his mastery of polishing them to perfection. In particular, he used the finest agates from the Orient, including ribbon agates. The whole is held together by finely chiselled yellow gold edging and perfect interlocking. In 1779, he received his goldsmith's diploma in Paris, which led to his first hallmark, also the year he was admitted to the profession. However, the hallmark on this snuffbox is in the shape of a diamond with the letters AV surmounted by two seeds and a rooster, and most probably dates from 1797. He kept it until 1806. He worked with renowned artists and used miniatures such as those by Jean Petitot, who was active in the 17th century, as well as exceptional cameos and grisaille paintings. His works are held in some of the world's greatest museums, including the V&A in London, the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the Hermitage in St Petersburg and the Fondation Napoléon.