Lot 485

Probably German, 63 x 49 x 27 mm, 77 g, circa 1740
A rare, cartouche-shaped agate snuff box with gold mountings, in the style of the Saxon hardstone boxes
Case: 18k gold, cream and brown banded opaque mocha agate and translucent red agate.
The cartouche-shaped body is cut from a single piece of stone and decorated with moulded gold mountings. The hinged lid is framed with wavy gold rims with floral engraving and a thumbpiece; it is decorated with brown banded mocha agate and bar-shaped, translucent red agate ornaments and gold ribbons.