RARE SMALL TURQUOISE PEARL AND GARNET SNUFFBOX, RUSSIA, XIX CENTURY
PICCOLA RARA TABACCHIERA CON TURCHESI PERLE E GRANATI, RUSSIA, XIX SECOLO
in oro 14kt, di forma ovale, corpo e coperchio interamente decorati a raggera con turchesi taglio cabochon digradanti, impreziosita da microperle e due granati taglio cabochon, reca in corrispondenza dell'apertura un elemento a forma di tralcio fiorito in argento, punzoni russi del titolo "56", della città di San Pietroburgo e marchio del fabbricante "OK", dim. cm 6x4,5x3 circa, gr. 117
This delightful little snuffbox, surprising and fascinating for its mastery of execution and extreme delicacy in style, is presented unsigned. However, it bears clearly recognizable hallmarks inside which attest to its Russian origin, as it features the representative mark of the city of St. Petersburg, flanked by the 18kt gold hallmark, together with the Cyrillic initials "O.K" of the master goldsmith who followed its creation. The peculiar decoration of the Turks arranged in a radial pattern along the entire surface, together with the care and delicacy in the workmanship of the box and its detailed elements, make this object a jewel of rare beauty comparable with few other rare specimens, such as the box of Turks preserved at the Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens in Washington.
Provenience
Private Collection
Bibliography
Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens Washington, Carl Helfried Barbé box, gold and Turquoise, Russia, 1810 ca.
Sotheby's, Russian Works of Art. Fabergé and Icons auction, November 26, 2019, lot 375