124 - JOHANN WILHELM KEIBEL

JOHANN WILHELM KEIBEL AN EXCEPTIONAL GOLD-MOUNTED AMETHYST SNUFF BOX BY JOHANN KEIBEL ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA, CIRCA 1840. A unique snuffbox of exceptional artistic and collectible significance, carved from a single block of natural amethyst and mounted with a gold lid, centred with a hand-painted enamel medallion. The body is cut from a monolithic stone displaying natural colour zoning, with deep violet tones transitioning into lighter, milky-translucent areas, emphasising both the rarity of the material and the virtuosity of the lapidary work. The cover is decorated in a rich Neo-Baroque manner, chased and engraved with gold foliate scrolls composed of rocailles, waves, shells and curving volutes, applied over a dark blue enamel ground. At the centre is an oval enamel medallion depicting an allegorical scene in the academic tradition of the first half of the 19th century, showing two female figures in classical dress standing beside an urn. The medallion is distinguished by refined modelling, a restrained palette and a contemplative mood evoking themes of memory, reflection and the inevitability of fate. The combination of solid amethyst, high-standard gold and painterly enamel represents a rare example of ceremonial jewellery art produced in St Petersburg during the period of Historicism. The snuffbox was conceived not only as an object of personal use but also as a status symbol intended for representative purposes and international circulation, as evidenced by its hallmarking. Marks: Russian gold standard “56”; St Petersburg assay mark (anchor); French import guarantee mark, in use from 1838; partially worn or illegible maker’s mark, attributed to the workshop of Johann Wilhelm Keibel (active 1788–1862). Dimensions: Height 4 cm; width 8 cm; depth 5.5 cm. Weight: 163 g. Condition: Good overall condition. The amethyst is intact, without chips or cracks. The gold mount shows minor signs of wear consistent with age. The enamel is well preserved, with no losses or restoration. Hinges and clasp function properly. Provenance: Private European collection. Previously Sotheby’s, Russian Works of Art, Fabergé & Icons. Width: 8cm, Height: 4cm, Depth: 5.5cm, Weight: 0.2kg, Condition: Excellent, Material: Enamel, Gold 56, Amethyst, ID: ID-ANTQ-3408