Snuff box, gold mounts and carved chalcedony by Johann Christian Neuber, Dresden, 1765

This box has been attributed to goldsmith Johann Christian Neuber (active 1762-1808). Though it is an unusual product for Neuber, it is similar to another documented example with a chimney sweep figure (see Kugel ed., Gold Jasper and Carnelian, Johanna Christian Neuber at the Saxon Court, 2012, cat. 26, p.137). The oval box is shaped from one piece of chalcedony.

Some of the stones have been set with red and green tinted adhesives to create colourful effects, for example, the green grass. Saxony was rich in minerals and hardstones, leading to a blossoming of lapidary (polished stone) work. The city of Dresden was home to a treasury which was later extended by Augustus the Strong, elector of Saxony and King of Poland (ruled 1694-1733). This famous Green Vault (as it was known) encouraged the production of luxury objects. It is said that chimney sweeps, such as the one depicted on this box, were widely considered a symbol of good luck.

Arthur recognised Neuber’s exquisite technical skill and acquired seven of his iconic snuffboxes in total. Oval chalcedony snuffbox, the cover inlaid with an oval reserve of banded agate enclosing an image of a chimney-sweep in various hardstones including chalcedony, onyx and sard, holding a ladder and a brush, standing on grass against a trellis of red stone, heightened with colour. Each enclosed lozenge of chalcedony has bevelled edges and is bordered by a frieze of banded agate; the walls and base have similar trellis and border decoration, mounted in gold chased with an osier pattern, and the box has a flaring floral thumbpiece.

Provenance: 155 Wartski, London.