A varicoloured gold snuff box, probably Berlin, circa 1755

rectangular, the lid chased en quatre couleurs with a huntsman on horseback and his four hounds chasing deer, against a background of classical architectural ruins and trees chased in high relief, the foliate frame crowned with flower garlands, the sides further elaborately chased with spaniels and a greyhound hunting pheasants next to hunting trophies, their ears and the patterns of the fur cleverly rendered in different colours of gold, the base chased in high relief with a huntsman and two dogs taking a rest after a successful hunt indicated by the quarry hung from a branch to the left, the thumbpiece formed of an openwork chased dog flanked by a hunting horn and a quiver, apparently unmarked,

8 cm; 3 1/8 in. wide

overall weight 232 gr, 7,46 oz