Snuffbox
1760-5 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Daniel Baudesson (1716-1785), a Huguenot émigré, was one of the most famous Berlin snuffbox makers. He supplied snuffboxes to Frederick the Great and in a document of 1766 was referred to as 'Hofjuwelier': court goldsmith. His production seems to be mainly of gold and enamel snuffboxes, only a few hardstone examples exist. The fact that this box is engraved with Baudesson’s name on the rim rather than stamped with his maker’s mark might be an indication that Baudesson was the retailer not the maker.
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.
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 and carved carnelian |
| Brief description | A varicolour gold and carnelian snuffbox |
| Physical description | A boat-shaped, carnelian snuffbox, the slightly waisted body set with varicolour gold mounts in the form of pilasters entwined with flowers rising from a border of scrolls. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Engraved on the bezel: Baudesson: A Berlin |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London |
| Object history | Provenance: Traditionally, given by Frederick the Great to a member of a German princely family. Christie's, Geneva, lot 68A, May 10, 1983. Garrard and Company, London. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Daniel Baudesson (1716-1785), a Huguenot émigré, was one of the most famous Berlin snuffbox makers. He supplied snuffboxes to Frederick the Great and in a document of 1766 was referred to as 'Hofjuwelier': court goldsmith. His production seems to be mainly of gold and enamel snuffboxes, only a few hardstone examples exist. The fact that this box is engraved with Baudesson’s name on the rim rather than stamped with his maker’s mark might be an indication that Baudesson was the retailer not the maker. 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.421-2008 |
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| Record created | June 19, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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