STYLE: Silver, Gold Boxes and Ceramics
STYLE: Silver, Gold Boxes and Ceramics
Property of an Important European Collection
A hardstone boîte-à-miniature with enamelled gilt-metal mounts, German, circa 1740
Lot Closed
November 13, 01:46 PM GMT
Estimate
2,500 - 3,500 GBP
Lot Details
Description
Property of an Important European Collection
A hardstone boîte-à-miniature with enamelled gilt-metal mounts, German, circa 1740
cartouche-shaped, the agate lid later applied with a portrait miniature of Augustus the Strong painted on ivory, under faceted glass and within a gold and blue enamel zig-zag border,
6.9cm., 3 1/4 in. wide
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The only legitimate child of Augustus II the Strong, founder of the treasure chamber Grünes Gewölbe in Dresden, Augustus III (1695-1763) shared his passion and fascination for the arts with his father. He was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, as well as Elector of Saxony in the Holy Roman Empire between 1733 and 1763. On 20 August 1719, Augustus III (known as Friedrich August II in the German-speaking countries) had married Maria Josepha of Austria, daughter of Emperor Joseph I., in Vienna. Their wedding must have been one of Europe’s most exuberant and expensive celebrations during the Baroque era, probably partially fuelled by the King’s love for splendorous balls, masquerades and parties, such as those hosted by the Sun King himself, which Augustus III attended during his stay at Versailles between 1714 and 1715.