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This snuffbox is reported to been made in Berlin (Germany) in 1765 and has no mark of the artist. A nine-panelled oblong shaped box made of chocolate-brown agate sets the setting of intricate varicoloured-gold with mounted hard stone. Made up entirely of agate, gold, foil, diamonds, and hard stones, this box is a small elegant treasure. On three sides of the agate are sprays of diamond flowers bordered by three-coloured-gold flowers. The base is a scene from Jean-Baptiste Oudry’s Cygne et Barbet with a similar border but set in coloured hard stones. The rim of the lid is has a broader border consisting of tri-coloured gold flowers, a spray of lesser stones set over pink foil, and a total of 10 large diamonds: 8 being of a cushion-shape and 2 pear-shaped. The lid is completed with a single spray of diamond flowers. This snuffbox is called Frederick the Great due to the inscription engraved on the bezel that clearly states: “Friedrich der Grosse besass mich. Friedrich Wilhelm III ubergab mich/seinem Sohne Albrecht zum Fideikommis in seiner Familie.” Translated it states: “I belonged to Frederick the Great. Frederick William III gave me to his son Albrecht as the inalienable property of his family.” Most of the boxes associated with his commissions lack an inscription claiming ownership. As to the snuffbox itself the replication of Cygne et Barbet is slightly altered with the form of a mallard replacing the Swan. The painting was used to make many copies, as it was very popular in the second half of the 18th century, The snuffbox is gorgeously made and the spread of diamonds and hardstones stands out brilliantly against the chocolate-brown agate without taking on an appearance of garishness or ostentation. Glossaries Note - More snuffboxes, including some made for Frederick the Great, can be found in the gold boxes section. |
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