Saturday, December 1, 2012

Gifts of Grandeur: The Meissen Shepherdess Snuffbox, c. 1750-1850



Snuff box with a Meissen Porcelain Plaque
Jeweled Thumpiece Features rubies, emeralds and diamonds.
1750-1850
The Gilbert Collection
This and all related images from:
The Victoria & Albert Museum




Since the design of the goldsmith's work of this snuffbox is so timeless, the dating of the piece is very difficult, however, the cut and setting of the stones in the floral thumb-piece (used to open the box) suggest that it dates from the second half of the 19th century. Clearly, the box was made to provide a setting for an earlier porcelain plaque which was produced at Meissen around 1750.

The rectangular gold snuffbox features plain bombe walls and a plain base.  The cover is set with a hard-paste porcelain plaque, painted on the outside with two shepherdesses and a shepherd in a landscape.  On the inside, there is a scene painted with the bath of Venus, within a reeded border. The scrolling floral thumb-piece is set with rubies, emeralds and diamonds.










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