Snuffbox
ca. 1780 (made), late 18th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This box is by Johann Christian Neuber, one of the most celebrated goldsmiths in the history of snuffboxes. The goldsmith has cleverly combined his own technique of Zellenmosaik, or mosaic of hardstones set into gold collets, with the technique of Roman micromosaics only recently developed.
Arthur Gilbert was fascinated by Neuber's work, which combined his favourite media – mosaics and hardstones – into exquisite objects. He managed to acquire six Neuber boxes, two of which are set with micromosaic panels.
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.
Arthur Gilbert was fascinated by Neuber's work, which combined his favourite media – mosaics and hardstones – into exquisite objects. He managed to acquire six Neuber boxes, two of which are set with micromosaic panels.
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.
Object details
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Chased gold, inlaid lapis lazuli, agate and hardstones, glass micromosaic |
| Brief description | A rectangular gold-mounted hardstone snuffbox with canted corners, the cover, walls and base decorated with geometric patterns, the cover set with an oval Roman micromosaic plaque of billing doves on a branch |
| Physical description | A rectangular gold-mounted hardstone snuffbox with canted corners, the cover, walls and base decorated with geometric patterns, the cover set with an oval Roman micromosaic plaque of billing doves on a branch |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | Snuffbox with doves
About 1780
Box: Dresden, Germany; probably Johann Christian Neuber
(1736–1808)
Mosaics: Rome, Italy
Gold, lapis lazuli, agate, hardstones and glass micromosaic
Museum no. Loan:Gilbert.353-2008(2009) |
| Credit line | The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London |
| Object history | Provenance: Christie's, Geneva, lot. 27, November 13, 1984. S. J. Phillips, London. Michel Turisk, Paris. Le Grand Frisson Exhibition RF.2005/788 |
| Production | The box was made by Johann Christian Neuber, the micromosaic by an unknown artist. |
| Summary | This box is by Johann Christian Neuber, one of the most celebrated goldsmiths in the history of snuffboxes. The goldsmith has cleverly combined his own technique of Zellenmosaik, or mosaic of hardstones set into gold collets, with the technique of Roman micromosaics only recently developed. Arthur Gilbert was fascinated by Neuber's work, which combined his favourite media – mosaics and hardstones – into exquisite objects. He managed to acquire six Neuber boxes, two of which are set with micromosaic panels. 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. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Other numbers |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | LOAN:GILBERT.353-2008 |
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| Record created | June 19, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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