A jewelled gold, enamel and agate box, Carl Blank, St. Petersburg, circa 1895

rounded rectangular, the lid inset with a panel of milky moss agate within laurel and rose diamond borders, the sides enamelled in translucent pink over banded wavy engine-turning and hung with laurel swags below diamond-set bows, beaded foot rim, 56 standard with London importer's mark G S, for George Stockwell, 1908

Purchased by the father of the present owner
Thence by descent

Excellent, crisp condition apart from two stones lacking. An impressive box.
"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."

Carl Blank was a workmaster for Hahn, one of the foremost jewellers in St. Petersburg at the turn of the 20^th century. The firm was responsible for making the replica of the 'small crown of the Empress' that was worn by Empress Alexandra Fedorovna at the 1896 coronation. Hahn was one of Fabergé's main competitors for Imperial commissions and supplied the Imperial Cabinet with eight of the fifty-forty boîtes à portrait presented during the reign of Emperor Nicholas II (Fabergé supplied nineteen). As well as making such boxes Hahn was on occasion required to add diamonds to snuff boxes made by Fabergé. For examples of such work see Sotheby's London, 28^th November 2005, lot 273 and Sotheby's Geneva, 17^th November 1998, lot 420.

The present snuff box is a free interpretation of the early Neo-classicism of the Louis XVI period. The striking pink enamel was a speciality of the firm. For another example of its use, a cigarette case given by Empress Maria Fedorovna to her son Emperor Nicholas II, see Géza von Habsburg, Fabergé Imperial Craftsman and his World, London, 2000, p.323, fig.1. The insertion of a fine specimen of dendritic agate in the lid of this snuff box is very characteristic of Russian taste of the period. Fabergé also made use of this stone, which was sourced in the Baltic states close to St. Petersburg. For a small gold and enamel box by Henrik Wigström, like the present snuff box decorated with chased laurel swags and inset with a moss agate, see Caroline de Guitaut, C., Fabergé in the Royal Collection , Royal Collection Enterprises, London, 2003, no. 146, p. 131.