Snuffbox with carillon musical movement
Snuffbox with carillon musical movement
Germany, Berlin; Switzerland, Geneva or Germany, Hanau
Circa 1775
Four-colour gold, metal musical movement
3.6 × 6.8 × 5.2 cm
Marks: maker’s mark M&P crowned in a rectangle between two leaves; French hibou (owl) import mark, post-1893
An oval gold snuffbox fitted with a carillon musical movement. The lid is richly decorated in four-colour gold, with a central oval medallion featuring a floral bouquet in relief, surrounded by concentric borders of finely chased foliage and geometric ornament. Symmetrically arranged panels with radiating patterns emphasize the balanced composition. The sides are similarly embellished with elaborate floral motifs and oval reserves. The combination of differently coloured golds creates subtle contrasts that enhance the delicacy and richness of the decoration.
7284.1-2MCA457/ДПИ