A mother of pearl, lapis lazuli and gold snuff box, probably Dresden, circa 1720-25

of cartouche form, the hatched mother-of-pearl lid applied with panels of lapis lazuli alternating with gold panels chased with Bérainesque strapwork surmounted by dolphins, the lid interior engraved with an architectural view, the mother-of-pearl base also bordered with Bérainesque strapwork, apparently unmarked

one crack to top right corner of mother of pearl base, otherwise good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This type of ornament was popular throughout Europe based on widely-circulated engraved patterns - Snowman illustrates both a design by Paul Decker the younger, printed in Nuremberg during the first decade of the 18th century and a gold box similarly chased, made for James Brydges, first Duke of Chandos around 1725 (A. Kenneth Snowman, Eighteenth Century Gold Boxes of Europe, Woodbridge, 1990, pls. 40 and 527). A small group of mother of pearl boxes in similar taste with alternating engraved and enamelled lobes are traditionally ascribed to Dresden (see Holzhausen, 'Unbekannte Pretiosen von Joh. Melchior Dinglinger', Weltkunst, 1 April 1966 and Sotheby's London, 6 July 2011, lot 127).