A MULTI-COLOURED GOLD AND BURGAU MOTHER OF PEARL SNUFF BOX, PROBABLY BERLIN, CIRCA 1765 | A multi-coloured gold and burgau mother of pearl snuff box, probably Berlin, circa 1765

rectangular, each face centred with a cluster of chased coloured gold summer flowers  set on a ground en mosaïque composed of a gold trelliswork containing tiny lozenges of burgau, some lightly carved and some fretted to give a lively undulating surface which enhances the natural colour changes, set within wavy cagework mounts bound with drifting leaves, the interior lined with red gold, unmarked

Collection de Monsieur A.G., vente, Galerie Charpentier, Paris, 9 Mai 1934, lot 173

Generally good condition. Some small cracks to mother of pearl but none lacking. The goldwork would benefit from professional cleaning, as well as parts of the burgau on the sides. Small gap between lining and panels, particularly to upper front, this was probably caused by removal of lid to repair hinge, 5 pins missing.
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This highly unusual and beautiful snuff box is closely related to two further Berlin snuff boxes of similar date. The first, also rectangular, is decorated with chased coloured gold birds and flowering plants on a very similar trellis ground set over poudre d'écaille within floral scalloped cagework mounts (Magnificent Boxes from a Private Collection, Christie's London, 7 July 2016, lot 230). The second example is even grander in concept and belongs to the group of snuff boxes identified by the late Dr Winfried Baer as having been made for Frederick II of Prussia (Winfried Baer, Prunk-Tabatieren Friedrichs des Grossen, Munich, 1993, no. 47). Typically large and of cartouche form, the trelliswork is formed of rows of curved chevron-shaped apertures, instead of lozenges, over cobalt blue enamel. This is applied with ribbon-tied bouquets of turquoise-petalled forget-me-nots and foiled diamond flowers, the whole within wide chased and jewelled flowery borders.

It is not known which of Frederick's goldsmithss created the box but it is probable that all three boxes originated from the same workshop.



This highly unusual and beautiful snuff box is closely related to two further Berlin snuff boxes of similar date. The first, also rectangular, is decorated with chased coloured gold birds and flowering plants on a very similar trellis ground set over poudre d'écaille within floral scalloped cagework mounts (Magnificent Boxes from a Private Collection, Christie's London, 7 July 2016, lot 230). The second example is even grander in concept and belongs to the group of snuff boxes identified by the late Dr Winfried Baer as having been made for Frederick II of Prussia (Winfried Baer, Prunk-Tabatieren Friedrichs des Grossen, Munich, 1993, no. 47). Typically large and of cartouche form, the trelliswork is formed of rows of curved chevron-shaped apertures, instead of lozenges, over cobalt blue enamel. This is applied with ribbon-tied bouquets of turquoise-petalled forget-me-nots and foiled diamond flowers, the whole within wide chased and jewelled flowery borders.

It is not known which of Frederick's goldsmithss created the box but it is probable that all three boxes originated from the same workshop.