Solid Silver Snuffbox With Appliqué Gold Decoration In The Baroque Style. Saint Petersburg.

A rare solid-silver snuffbox crafted in Saint Petersburg in the 1850s, this piece is a remarkable example of Russian silversmithing from the Second Historicism period, inspired by the aesthetics of European Baroque. Combining impeccable functionality with exceptional artistic quality, it embodies the ideals of the aristocratic culture of the Russian Empire in the mid-19th century.

The body of the snuffbox is distinguished by its perfectly balanced proportions and its carefully considered ergonomics. Its slightly rounded contours allow it to naturally conform to the shape of the hand, revealing remarkable mastery in both design and craftsmanship. The generous thickness of the silver lends the piece an impression of solidity while affirming its status as a highly prestigious personal accessory.

The surface is sumptuously adorned with an applied gold decoration consisting of elegant Baroque scrollwork, stylized acanthus leaves, and fluid plant motifs. The contrast between the cool luster of the silver and the warm brilliance of the gold produces a decorative effect of rare richness, characteristic of the finest examples of mid-19th-century Russian goldsmithing. This refined combination of precious metals lends the composition depth, brilliance, and solemnity while maintaining a perfectly controlled elegance.

The Baroque decoration does more than simply enhance the object’s aesthetic appeal. It also evokes the prosperity, nobility, and social status of its owner. Each element of the applied decoration attests to meticulous craftsmanship and exceptional mastery of the technique of applying gold ornamentation.

Hallmarks: St. Petersburg hallmark of guarantee. Silver with a fineness of 84 zolotniki. Hallmark of Master Assayer Eduard Fyodorovich Brandenburg, who served from 1850 to 1866. Master’s mark “CE.” Carl Ernst, a renowned silversmith from Saint Petersburg. Documented in archives since the early 19th century, his workshop is attested as early as 1849. His most representative works date from the 1850s.

Dimensions: Height: 2.7 cm. Width: 8.7 cm. Depth: 4.5 cm.

Weight: 129 g.

Condition: Very good condition. The silver body retains all the sharpness of its forms as well as its original surface. The gold appliqué decoration is perfectly preserved. The object shows only slight signs of wear consistent with its age and history.

ID-ANTQ-5225