ONE OF THE STONES DATED 1582, THE FLANGE LATER STRUCK WITH TWO POST-1893 FRENCH IMPORT MARKS FOR GOLD

Details

A LOUIS XIV-STYLE GOLD AND HARDSTONE SNUFF-BOX
one of the stones dated 1582, the flange later struck with two post-1893 French import marks for gold
Tapering gold box of oval section, the lid, sides and base inset with amethyst plaques mounted à jour, the convex oval plaque on the cover engraved with gadrooning, the six rectangular stones on the sides and the oval stone on the base bevelled, the stone on the base engraved with an old inscription surrounded by scrolls, the gold cover and base with concentric oval gadrooning and reeding, slightly raised wavy thumbpiece
2 11/16 in. (68 mm.) wide

Special notice

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

Lot Essay

According to the Latin inscription on the amethyst on the base, the stone was given by the Hungarian King of Poland and Prince of Transylvania Stephen Bathori (1533-1586) to Nicholas Eck, Consul of Riga, on 12 March 1582: 'D[IE] MARTI 12 A[NNO] D[OMINI] 1582 STEPHANUS D[EI] G[RATIAE] REX POL[ONIAE] DUX PRUSS[IAE] NICO ECK CONSULI RIGENSI'. In the 16th century, Latvia was ruled by the Poles and during this period of political instability, the presentation of the stone, probably preciously mounted, may have been an important diplomatic gift.

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