POSSIBLY SWISS, AUSTRIAN OR ITALIAN, LATE 18TH/EARLY 19TH CENTURY, STRUCK WITH INVENTORY NUMBER 2426

Details

A CONTINENTAL ENAMELLED GOLD SNUFF-BOX SET WITH A HARDSTONE CAMEO
possibly Swiss, Austrian or Italian, late 18th/early 19th century, struck with inventory number 2426
Oval box, the cover centred with a gold-mounted agate cameo depicting Luna, the Goddess of the Moon, in profile, surrounded by a green enamelled leaf border set on a ground simulating a hardstone panel enamelled to imitate a paterae pattern of radiating tapering bloodstone plaques with translucent orange enamelled finials, the base similarly enamelled and centred by a gold star in taille d'épargne on a translucent blue guilloché ground, the sides with matching vertical stripes, all framed by a Neuber-style cloisonné vari-colour enamelled band with white flowerheads, green leaves and black wavy ribbons, on a translucent blue enamelled engine-turned gold ground, engraved rims
36 in. (90 mm.) wide

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.

Lot Essay

Snuff-boxes in the Neuber-style were popular in late 18th century Austria, and although the accomplished enamelling technique of the present box would suggest a Swiss origin, an Italian workshop cannot be excluded.

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