BY JOHANN GEORGE HOSSAUER, BERLIN, MARKED IN FULL AND WITH 14-CARAT GOLD MARK, CIRCA 1850

Details

A GERMAN ROYAL PRESENTATION GOLD SNUFF-BOX
by Johann George Hossauer, Berlin, marked in full and with 14-carat gold mark, circa 1850
Cartouche-shaped box, the lid and lobed baluster sides engraved with floral scrolls, strapwork and Rocaille on a guilloché ground, the cover centred by a scrolling polished gold reserve engraved with foliate letter 'F' a royal crown above, the base engine-turned with a basketweave pattern, flaring wavy flanged thumbpiece
3½ in. (88 mm.) wide
4 1/3 oz. (126 gr.)

Exhibited

Berlin, Charlottenburg Castle, Gold und Silber für den König, 1998, no. 112, illustrated in colour p. 228, as the only gold box by Hossauer hitherto recorded.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

Lot Essay

The 1998 exhibition catalogue suggests that the royal cypher refers to Friedrich Wilhelm Nikolaus Carl, Prince of Prussia (1831-1888), later Emperor Frederick III of Prussia from March to June 1888. He was the only son of Emperor William I of Prussia (1797-1888) and married Queen Victoria's eldest daughter, the Princess Royal, and was succeeded by his son Emperor William II.

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