Antique German Paper Mache Snuffbox or Snuff Box Hand Painted Miniature by Stobwasser of Braunschweig
Description: This is a beautiful antique rectangular Paper Mache or papier-mâché snuffbox or snuff box with a hinged lid. The lid, which has brass hinge held to the lid and the back with four brass screws, is decorated on top with a colorful hand painted miniature of a couple sitting on the ground in the woods probably picnicking. The man is wearing a blue jacket over a white shirt, while the woman is wearing a red dress and is leaning on the man's stretched leg. The box is lacquered with black background and the interior has a nice brown flecked coloring, which is also lacquered over. The box is typical of German boxes of the late 1700s and early to mid 1800s made in Braunschweig Germany (see Detlev Richter's book "Lacquered Boxes" Published by Schiffer in 1989). Braunschweig is the town where Johann Heinrich Stobwasser had his factory where he mad his famous lacquered ware. This box was probably made at the Stobwasser Fabrik. The fact that it is unmarked suggests that it is an early one, probably 1780's or 1790's.
Date: Late 1700's.
Origin: Braunschweig, Germany
Size: Measures 3 1/2" by 1 7/8" and is 1" deep.
Maker: J. H. Stobwasser
Marks: Unmarked.
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: This is definitely a beautiful antique Paper Mache box with a very nice hand painted miniature that very seldom come by. Definitely a great find.
Condition: Box is in good condition given its age. The box itself and the miniature are in good condition. The lid has a large chunk off on the inside, some loss at the front right corner and a small chip on the left edge. The box itself has wear commensurate with its age and use and has wear to all the corners where the black coloring has slightly worn off and the lacquer on the sides has crazing and bubbling but is not separating. The hinge is in good shape and the box closes well and tight. The miniature has quite a bit of crazing and some losses, which can be seen in the photos. The miniature is rather dark, which is typical for this type of boxes, this is why we tried to take photos of it with and without flash to give you a real feel of its beauty and quality. Please see photos for additional condition information.
Because the box is not perfect we are starting it at a fraction of its true value and are selling it "AS IS".
