A GOLD-MOUNTED ‘STARLING STONE’ SNUFF BOX, GERMAN, CIRCA 1760 | A gold-mounted ‘starling stone’ snuff box, German, circa 1760

rectangular, the fine stone panels mounted en cage by elaborately chased scrollwork borders, wavy on the interior, slightly raised thumbpiece, unmarked

The lid does not close 100%, fine hairline crack from the top to the bottom of the lid panel, resulting from the fragility of the hardstone panels, the left side panel with a branched crack, dividing the panel into six parts (barely visible from the outside)
"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."

The present snuff box, and the following hardstone objects from the same collection, represent the scientific interest in hardstone in Germany from the mid-18^th century. The centre of attention for any admirer of this elegant box is the rare ‘starling stone’ itself, a specific type of chalcedony which can be found in the Erzgebirge region around Chemnitz in Eastern Germany (Alexis Kugel, Gold, Jasper and Carnelian, Johann Christian Neuber at the Saxon Court, London, 2012, p. 329), rather than the craftmanship of gold chasing in this instance. The mounts are a frame to display the beauty of the stone. The love for hardstones in Germany in the 18^th century was to be found both in Berlin under Frederick the Great and in Dresden. The leading proponent in Dresden was Johann Christian Neuber, maker of Galanteriewaren made from locally-mined hardstones, for the Saxon Court. Today Neuber is mainly recognised for his Steinkabinettstabatieren, the most elegant gold and hardstone snuff boxes functioning as portable specimen studies and demonstrating the variety of natural hardstones. The boxes are sometimes also accompanied by a small booklet listing the scientific names of each numbered stone, often more than a hundred, on the box.