A FINE GERMAN VARI-COLORED GOLD, ENAMEL AND GEM-SET SNUFF BOX

Details

A FINE GERMAN VARI-COLORED GOLD, ENAMEL AND GEM-SET SNUFF BOX
HANAU, CIRCA 1840

Rectangular, the base and sides with engine-turned panels and applied foliate borders, the hinged cover with diamond-set steam locomotive flanked by two diamonds and with diamond-set crossed spike-hammers in the corners on a foliate and matted ground, the foliate borders with red and green enamel corners, marked on interior base and flange of cover
3½in. (8.9cm.) long

Lot Essay

The present snuffbox undoubtedly commemorates the opening of one of the European railroads, which were established in rapid succession on the continent after 1828. In that year, Austria and France built their first lines, and Belgium, Germany, Russia, Italy, and the Netherlands followed in the 1830s.