Johann Christian Neuber gold and agate 'Steinkabinett' snuff box, c. 1780
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
c. 1780
This museum-quality snuff box, a so-called 'stone cabinet' or 'Steinkabinett', is an octagonal piece attributed to the renowned Dresden court jeweller Johann Christian Neuber, dating to approximately 1780.
The case is masterfully constructed with 60 semi-translucent and opaque hard stones, including diverse agates, jaspers, and chalcedonies, all meticulously set within narrow gold frames. The hinged lid features 16 stones radiating from a central oval portrait cartouche, which is set beneath a domed rose quartz and framed by a blue enamel border and a wider chased gold mount. The base and sides follow a similar design, with 28 rectangular agate panels around the perimeter.
A defining feature of Neuber’s work is the individual numbering of the stones on the gold bars, ranging here from 17 to 60. The gold borders are decorated with refined geometric engravings, including flower motifs, wavy patterns, and interlaced bands. The box weighs approximately 172 grams and measures 8.5 x 6.2 x 3 cm, and it bears later French gold import hallmarks from the period of 1864–1893.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Weight
- 172 g
- Materials
- gold, agate, jasper, chalcedony, rose quartz, enamel
- Dimensions
- 8.5 x 6.2 x 3 cm
Technical characteristics
- Hallmarks
- French import hallmarks for gold (1864-1893)
Design
- Form
- octagonal
- Motifs
- geometric engravings, flowers, wavy patterns, interlaced bands
- Inscriptions
- numbered stones 17-60
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- Johann Christian Neuber
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.