A group of four gold-mounted hardstone snuff boxes, English or German, circa 1740 and later

Property of an Italian private collection

A group of four gold-mounted hardstone snuff boxes, English or German, circa 1740 and later

the first, probably German, circa 1780, circular, the body of polished hardstone resembling petrified wood, apparently unmarked, 7 cm., 2 3/4 in. diameter; the second, English or German, circa 1760, cartouche-shaped, the sides chased with c-scrolls around stylised shells, apparently unmarked, 5.8 cm., 2 1/4 in. wide; the third, probably English, circa 1740, cartouche-shaped, the mounts richly chased with birds picking fruit and a village scene, the agate panel probably later, 5 cm., 2 in. wide; the fourth, English, circa 1760, cartouche-shaped, the waisted sides chased with rocaille ornament, apparently unmarked, 4.5cm., 1 3/4 in. wide

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