Gold snuffbox with chased relief depictions of musical trophies and scenes of scientific pursuits
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 lid features a composition including a stone building surmounted by a cascading fountain, with arches and a pool below. Herons and a peacock walking near the pool, a bird is in the sky, and a small monkey is sitting on a rocaille arch. 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 flowing from a circular fountain. The fountain is situated inside a stone arched rotunda. The side surfaces of the snuffbox feature chased relief miniatures depicting individual bird species. 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 lid serves as a thumbpiece. The interior surfaces of the snuffbox are mirror-polished.

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