Green Jasper and Gold Egg Snuff Box

This elegant egg-shaped snuffbox is carved of solid green jasper and covered with scrolling 17.6K gold rocaille cagework in an asymmetrical pattern. The egg opens with a push of the diamond clasp weighing 0.05 carat, and the white enamel girdle delivers the blessing “Dieu toujours avec vous,” or “God always with you.” Similar to the ever-popular Faberge eggs, objets d’art of this nature were extremely popular among aristocrats and royalty during the 18th and 19th centuries. Green Jasper, also known as "heliotrope" or "bloodstone" (due to the red dotting of reddened hematite giving the appearance of blood) is a form of chalcedony that has been highly regarded and utilized since antiquity, and was even believed to have the power to make one invisible, bring forth a solar eclipse and preserve health. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the stone was carved to create important decorative and utilitarian objects such as seals, signet rings, perfumes and especially snuff boxes. Eggs made of precious materials such as gold, jewels and semi-precious stones such as this were especially popular in France and England. 18th century 1 3/8" diameter x 1 3/4" high Read more