EARLY 19TH CENTURY GOLD AND MICROMOSAIC SNUFF BOX

Rectangular snuffbox with hinge and rounded edges entirely lined with gold and set in its centre with a micromosaic representing the Pantheon with its two bell towers called "donkey ears" demolished in 1882. In the square you can see the obelisk of the sanctuary of Heliopolis of Ramses II, probably brought to Rome by the emperor Domitian and placed in 1711 above the pre-existing fountain by Giacomo Della Porta. The frame of the micromosaic is richly chiselled with foliage and floral motifs on a gold amatized background. The frame, more soberly carved, reveals two small forget-me-nots, while the corners are decorated with a laurel wreath. The base, inlaid with an oval medallion crossed by wavy lines, presents the same wealth of foliage and foliage on an amatized background.
Weight: 6.7 oz
Marks: lion and flower.
Goldsmith mark: BML
REF: 4919