A GERMAN GOLD MOUNTED HARDSTONE SNUFF-BOX
A GERMAN GOLD MOUNTED HARDSTONE SNUFF-BOX

PROBABLY DRESDEN, CIRCA 1750

Details
A GERMAN GOLD MOUNTED HARDSTONE SNUFF-BOX
PROBABLY DRESDEN, CIRCA 1750
rectangular box of petrified wood, with waisted sides, the cover and front panel carved with rocaille scrolls and floral sprays, with pierced gold mounts chased with flowers and foliage
2¾ in. (70 mm.) wide

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Lot Essay

Chemnitz is a city located near the border of Germany and the Czech Republic, and one of the city's most important landmarks is the Petrified Forest. From 1737, when this ancient forest was first discovered, members of the Saxon Court in Dresden harvested the petrified wood and had it transformed into precious objects such as snuff-boxes and jewellery. The celebrated Dresden goldsmith Johann-Christian Neuber (1736-1808) used the stone from Chemnitz in many of his snuff-boxes.

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