Snuffbox

One of a pair of seashell-shaped snuffboxes is a part of a ten-part toilet set containing also a pair of single-candle candlesticks, two pairs of caskets of various sizes and a brush fitting (Wil.510–Wil.519). Silvers from the set were made by a Berlin goldsmith active in the first half of the 18th century, who signed his works as Röhner. The unique artistic value of this set lies in the decoration of casket lids, jewel box sides and candlestick bases and stems made of surfaces fully covered with enamel and adorned with caps of pure gold, called “Saxony enamel”. Such luxurious products were ordered and distributed by Pierre Fromery – an armourer and trader in haberdashery products, who arrived in Berlin from Paris in 1685. Fromery and his son Alexander (also trading in medals) presumably commissioned Berlin experts to make plates with this unique decoration. The set is one of the unique works adorning the richest treasuries of rulers in Munich, Vienna and Denmark and museum collections in Hamburg or Boston.

The seashell-shaped container is covered with a similarly shaped cover. The cover is decorated with an image of Augustus II the Strong in left profile in the middle. On its sides, caps with baskets of fruit, acanthus leaves and flower garlands suspended over them are integrated into the painting decoration. The white sides of the jewel box are decorated with painted floral accents. In the background, multicolour views and flowers are scattered. Intricately chiselled golden mythological figures, small heads and garlands similar to elements used in other vessels from the set: a figure sitting against the background of standards with a shield rested on the knees, cupids among garlands, etc., are put upon the background of the enamel. On the bottom part of the box there is a view with imaginary buildings among trees. On the internal side of the cover, a miniature on paper under glass presenting a hunting scene has survived: two riders in court dresses from the late 17th century rescue the third one, whose horse has been attacked by a lion.

The snuffbox, along with the entire set (called the Dressing Table in the 19th century), was shown to the Warsaw audience during An Exhibition of Antique and Art Objects in the palace of Count August Potocki and his wife at Krakowskie Przedmieście 32 (today the Museum of the University of Warsaw) in 1856. The set is described in the catalogue of this exhibition under item 513.

Joanna Paprocka-Gajek