A Fine German Turned and Faceted Serpentine Stone Tobacco Jar and Cover
A Fine German Turned and Faceted Serpentine Stone Tobacco Jar and Cover
With ring handle, serpentine and silver
Circa 1760 – 1780
Size: 13.5cm high, 11cm dia. – 5¼ ins high, 4¼ ins dia.
With ring handle, serpentine and silver
Circa 1760 – 1780
Size: 13.5cm high, 11cm dia. – 5¼ ins high, 4¼ ins dia.
Serpentine is so named because of the ancient belief in its effective protection against snake bites. During the Renaissance ingenious ways were invented for crafting beautiful minerals into objects for the pleasure of the collector. Anselm Boethius De Boodt in 1609 declared in his Gemmarum et Lapidum Historia ‘The Emperor (Rudolf II) is a lover of stones not simply in order that he may thereby augment his dignity and majesty, but so that in them the excellence of God may be contemplated …..’
For 350 years lapidary was a Royal pursuit, and by the 18th century turning was something of an obsession for many wealthy collectors each vying with the other to mechanically produce astounding works of art in stone or ivory.
For 350 years lapidary was a Royal pursuit, and by the 18th century turning was something of an obsession for many wealthy collectors each vying with the other to mechanically produce astounding works of art in stone or ivory.
A Fine German Turned and Faceted Serpentine Stone Tobacco Jar and Cover
SOLD
