Discover how the value of similar works has evolved over the past 10 years. Art is not only beauty — it's an investment.
Discover how the value of similar works has evolved over the past 10 years. Art is not only beauty — it's an investment.
A figural snuff box designed in the form of a miniature double-barrel pistol represents a rare and expressive example of European jewelled decorative arts of the late Historicist period. The object belongs to the category of so-called objets de fantaisie, combining inventive artistic design with the utilitarian function of a refined object of social life.
The body is crafted in silver and richly decorated with engraved and relief ornament imitating structural and decorative elements of a firearm. The exterior surface is covered with fine hand engraving composed of vegetal and rocaille motifs characteristic of the decorative language of European Historicism of the second half of the 19th century. The handle is conceived as a sculptural ornamental composition with pronounced plastic relief.
The decoration incorporates cabochons of semi-precious stones, including banded agate with its characteristic striped pattern, as well as stones of pink and green hues. The stones are integrated into the ornamental structure of the handle and body, enhancing the jewel-like character of the object. Additional decorative richness is provided by inserts of coloured enamel.
The mechanical part of the object is stylised after the construction of a firearm: the hammer and trigger guard form an original mechanism that activates the opening system of the snuff box. The hinged lid opens to reveal the internal chamber intended for storing tobacco. The interior surface is fully gilded and decorated with engraved ornament, in accordance with traditional snuff box manufacture and serving to protect the contents.
Marks: French import assay mark in the form of a swan in an oval shield (Cygne). This mark was used in France from 1893 for silver objects of foreign manufacture that passed official assay control upon import into the country.
Dimensions: Length: 11.5 cm; Width: 3 cm; Thickness: 3 cm.
Weight: 68 g.
Condition: Good.
Provenance: Private European collection.
During the second half of the 19th century European luxury culture experienced the flourishing of so-called objets de vertu, refined small objects intended for personal use and for the display of social status. Snuff boxes occupied a particularly important place within this category. They were not only practical containers for tobacco but also essential accessories of social etiquette, reflecting taste, wealth and cultural refinement.
In the Historicist period jewellers and silversmiths in Central European artistic centres experimented extensively with the forms of such objects. Snuff boxes could take the shape of musical instruments, animals, architectural forms and even weapons. Miniature pistols and hunting arms were especially popular among collectors and members of aristocratic society, as they combined playful design with the demonstration of technical mastery.
The most important production centres for such curiosities were Vienna, Prague, Pforzheim and Hanau. Workshops in these cities specialised in decorative silver objects richly engraved, gilded and set with semi-precious stones. The use of agates, chalcedonies and coloured cabochons enhanced the decorative effect and brought such pieces closer to the character of jewellery.
The presence of the French import mark in the form of a swan indicates that the object was produced outside France and subsequently imported to the French market, where it underwent official assay inspection. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries the French market actively imported artistic silver objects from Austria-Hungary and Germany, contributing to the circulation of such refined decorative curiosities in European salons and private collections.
Today snuff boxes of this type are regarded as characteristic examples of the decorative culture of European salons of the 19th century. They are of particular interest to collectors of silver, specialists in jewellery art and researchers of European aristocratic material culture.
The object is in good collectible condition. The original gilded surface is preserved. Minor signs of age and use are visible, including light wear and microscopic scratches on the silver surface. The opening mechanism functions correctly. Decorative stones are preserved. Enamel elements show minor losses that do not affect the structural integrity of the piece.
The condition report is provided for informational purposes only.
It is not comprehensive and may not reflect all defects, restorations, alterations, or adaptations, as Antiqon does not perform professional conservation-level assessments. The information is based on a qualified, yet subjective, evaluation by our specialists.Before purchasing, we recommend consultation with an independent expert.Please also consult our Terms and conditions and Glossary A-Z, which contain important information on lot characteristics and sale conditions.
