Snuffbox decorated with compositions after a graphic series by J.E. Nilsson
Snuffbox decorated with compositions after a graphic series by J.E. Nilsson
Russia, Saint Petersburg
1846
Master Johann Wilhelm Keibel
Gold; enamel; chasing, translucent enamel over engraving (basse-taille)
3.4 x 9.2 x 5.2 cm
Mark of Johann Wilhelm Keibel (1809-1862) – "Keibel"; "56" gold fineness standard mark in rectangular shield; St. Petersburg city mark depicting "crossed anchors and a scepter" in circular shield. Inside on the bottom: mark of assay master Dmitry Ilyich Tverskoy (1836-1850) with the date in rectangular shield – "D.T/1846" (Д.Т/1846); "56" gold fineness standard mark in rectangular shield; master's mark of Johann Wilhelm Keibel – "Keibel"; St. Petersburg city mark depicting "crossed anchors and a scepter" in circular shield. Engraved on the right side of the rim (bezel) is the number "968"
A rectangular gold snuffbox featuring a hinged lid equipped with a shell-shaped scroll thumbpiece. The decorative design of the body is executed in the Rococo style and is based on engravings from the suite by Johann Esaias Nilsson (1721–1788) titled "The Newest Ornamental Motifs for Snuffboxes, as well as Coffee and Tea Caskets". The raised carved compositions are strikingly set against a blue enamel background. The top of the lid is adorned with a hunting scene within an intricate rococo (rocaille) frame. The bottom features a delicate pastoral scene, and the side walls around the entire perimeter are decorated with rococo ornaments, scrolls, and miniature figures.
The internal polished surface of the lid features an engraved historical presentation inscription in Cyrillic:
"To the physician of the Tver Noble Boarding School, Sokolov,
Most Graciously bestowed on December 10th, 1846."
1612/ДПИ