The shaped gold body, featuring contoured surfaces and a hinged cover, is decorated with chased relief depictions of large birds. The top surface of the cover features a composition including a stone structure surmounted by a cascading fountain, with arches and a pool below. The scene is framed by wing-like rocaille motifs intertwined with ribbons. A similar composition on the bottom of the snuffbox depicts large birds—herons, peacocks, and flamingos—drinking water from a spring. The fountain is situated inside a stone arched rotunda. The scene is enclosed by an intricate composition of rocailles. The side miniatures are separated by shaped inserts with floral garlands. All depictions are executed in relief chasing on a stippled field. A massive floral composition on the front side of the cover serves as a thumbpiece. The interior surfaces of the snuffbox are mirror-polished.

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