EXCEPTIONAL AMETHYST SNUFFBOX WITH BURGUNDY DECORATION, ATTR - Lot 56

EXCEPTIONAL AMETHYST SNUFFBOX WITH BURGUNDY DECORATION, ATTRIBUTED TO HENRICH TADDEL, DRESDEN, CIRCA 1750. Cut, polished and engraved amethyst and radiant quartz snuffbox, mounted in chased gold (750 thousandths), of oval violin shape, with black lacquered decoration inlaid with gold and burgau micro-mosaics. The body of the snuffbox is baluster-shaped, with a burgundy decoration of lambrequin motifs with flowers on the upper part, and partially carved with stylized landscapes on the lower part. The slightly domed, hinged lid is decorated in burgundy and carved in bas-relief with a stylized horizontal forest landscape under a radiant sun. Slightly missing back. Germany, Dresden, circa 1750. Attributed to the silversmith Heinrich Taddel (1715-1794). The amethyst most probably comes from the Metalliferous Mountains, in Wiesenbad, near Annaberg. No apparent hallmark. H. 5 x W. 6 x D. 5 cm. Gross weight: 110.0 g. Related work - A similar gold-mounted amethyst snuffbox with burgundy decoration, by Heinrich Taddel, circa 1750, in the Victoria & Albert Museum, London (inv. GILBERT.400-2008). - A gold-mounted quartz snuffbox with burgauté decoration and gold pearl mosaic, by Heinrich Taddel, circa 1750, in the Victoria & Albert Museum, London (inv. GILBERT.402-2008). - A gold-mounted quartz snuffbox with burgundy decoration, attributed to Heinrich Taddel, circa 1750, in the Musée Cognacq-Jay, Paris (inv. J. 465). - A snuffbox attributed to Heinrich Taddel, Sotheby's sale, May 16, 2025, lot 1068. - A sample of amethyst and radiant quartz, discovered at Wiesenbad near Annaberg (Ore Mountains), kept in Heinrich Taddel's Steinkabinett, Dresden, 1740-1757, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen, Dresden (inv. I 15b/65). Literature Heinrich Taddel und sein Steinkabinett im Grünen Gewölbe, cat. exp. curated by Gerhard Heide, Residenzschloss, Dresden, 23.06.2023-09.10.2023, published by Dresden: Sandstein: Staatliche Kunstsammlung Dresden.