CIRCA 1750, THE CONTEMPORARY GOLD MOUNTS WITH DÉCHARGE MARK, PERHAPS PARIS 1750-6

Details

A MEISSEN GOLD-MOUNTED RECTANGULAR SNUFF-BOX AND COVER
CIRCA 1750, THE CONTEMPORARY GOLD MOUNTS WITH DÉCHARGE MARK, PERHAPS PARIS 1750-6
The cover, sides and underside painted with vignettes of figures before buildings, boats and ships in harbour and river landscapes, the interior of the cover with a garden scene of figures at various pursuits around a fountain encircled with classical busts on plinths and topiary, a grand building in the distance, the hinged stepped mounts with a serpentine thumbpiece (typical slight wear to edge of base)
3¼ in. (8.3 cm.) wide

Special notice

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

Lot Essay

The vignette on the interior is probably taken from engravings by Melchior Küssell whose Italian and Austrian topographical views were widely used at the factory in the 1740s. It is likely that this is a view of Cardinal Monte Alto's garden in Rome. A similar view appears on one of the plates from the Christie-Miller service. See the snuff-box sold Christie's Geneva on 30th April 1975, lot 233 with views then thought to be views around Salzburg; it was sold subsequently by Sotheby's Geneva on 15th May 1990, lot 9. See also the example sold Sotheby's London on 2nd March 1994, lot 71. Each had a similar circular pond and hedged allées as depicted on the inside of the present box.

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