This box, depicting oriental still lifes, was probably decorated in Dresden. It is likely that it was made at the workshop of Heinrich Taddel. The lapis lazuli ground is decorated with gold and burgau shell.
Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world’s great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.
Physical description
A rectangular, gold-mounted hardstone snuffbox with canted corners, comprising ten panels of lapis lazuli, encrusted with gold, burgau shell and composition with still lifes of oriental objects and flowers on the cover, base and walls
Place of Origin
Dresden, Germany (probably, made)
Date
ca. 1750 (made)
Artist/maker
Taddel, Heinrich, born 1715 - died 1798 (possibly, workshop of)
Materials and Techniques
Gold, lapis lazuli, burgau shell and composition
Marks and inscriptions
No marks
Dimensions
Length: 6.2 cm, Width: 4.8 cm, Height: 3.0 cm
Object history note
Provenance: S. J. Phillips, London.
Descriptive line
A rectangular, gold-mounted hardstone snuffbox; Dresden, ca.1750, possibly the workshop of Heinrich Taddel
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Habsburg-Lothringen, Géza von. Gold boxes from the collection of Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert. R. & A. Gilbert, 1983. 125 p., ill. Cat no. 36. ISBN. 0961039809.
Snowman, A. Kenneth. Eighteenth century gold boxes of Europe, rev. ed., Woodbridge: Antique Collectors' Club, 1990. pl. 612, p.86. ISBN. 1851490728
Truman, Charles.The Gilbert collection of gold boxes, Vol. I. Los Angeles (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) 1991, cat. no. 63, pp. 186-7. ISBN.0875871623
Exhibition History
Gold Boxes (?) (Wartski 01/01/1990-31/12/1990)
Gold Boxes from the Gilbert Collection (Los Angeles County Museum of Art 01/01/1986-31/12/1987)
Gold Boxes from the Gilbert Collection (Los Angeles County Museum of Art 01/01/1986-31/12/1987)
Gold Boxes from the Gilbert Collection (Los Angeles County Museum of Art 01/01/1986-31/12/1987)
Labels and date
Snuffbox with Chinese fan and vases
About 1750
Probably Dresden, Germany;
possibly workshop of Heinrich Taddel (1715–94)
Gold and lapis lazuli, burgau shell and composition
Museum no. Loan:Gilbert.404-2008 [2009]
Materials
Gold; Lapis lazuli; Composition; Burgau shell
Techniques
Inlay
Subjects depicted
Flowers; Birds; Vase; Still life; Fan; Chinoiserie; Stool
Categories
Containers; Personal accessories; Metalwork
Collection code
MET
