GOLD SNUFFBOX WITH ENAMEL. HANAU, 1810–1815 GERMANY, EARLY 19TH CENTURY

A rare rectangular gold and enamel snuffbox, created around 1810–1815 in the workshops of Hanau, representing an outstanding example of early 19th-century European goldsmithing. The canted rectangular body is decorated with deep dark-blue guilloché enamel with a fine lozenge pattern, enhancing the brilliance of the gold. The lid is crowned with a highly refined polychrome enamel miniature depicting Diogenes searching for truth with a lamp in broad daylight. The composition is attributed to models from the circle of Antoine Cardon and executed with exceptional precision. The miniature is framed by bands of gold, white and black enamel with applied vine leaves and cornucopia motifs. The sides are adorned with cobalt guilloché enamel, while the corners feature stylised descending leaves. The interior is fully gilt. On the inner lid is a historically significant inscription: “Presented by His Imperial Highness the Tsesarevich Konstantin Pavlovich in 1826 to Katon Shabelsky. Passed to his grandson Pavel Shabelsky on 6 November 1863.” Marks: Worn; a surviving fragment of an early Hanau mark (the characteristic “cogwheel”), corresponding to Hanau production of 1810–1815. Dimensions: Length 9.5 cm; width 6.7 cm; height 1.8 cm. Weight: 159 g. Condition: Very good. Gilding preserved; enamel without cracks or losses; minimal wear. Provenance: Private European collection. Formerly in the Shabelsky family collection.

Estimate:£12,538.39

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