Checklist

Johann Christian Neuber (1736–1808)
Breteuil Table, 1779–80
Wood, gilded bronze, semiprecious stones, faux-pearls, and Meissen porcelain plaques
H: 32 in.
Collection of the Marquis de Breteuil, Château de Breteuil (Choisel/Chevreuse)
Photo Michael Bodycomb

Repnin Base
From the Centerpiece presented by Friedrich Augustus III, Elector of Saxony, to Nikolai Wasilyevitch Repnin
Dresden, 1780
Gilt bronze, amethyst, agate, jasper, petrified wood, carnelian, and marble
The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore
Photo Michael Bodycomb

Russia's Flourishing Trade
Michel Victor Acier at the Royal Porcelain Manufactory of Meissen
Made at the same time and from the same mold as the group presented by Friedrich Augustus III, Elector of Saxony, to Nikolai Wasilyevitch Repnin
Meissen, 1780
Hard-paste porcelain
Porzellansammlung, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen, Dresden
Photo Michael Bodycomb

Repnin Base
From the Centerpiece presented by Friedrich Augustus III, Elector of Saxony, to Nikolai Wasilyevitch Repnin
Dresden, 1780
Gilt bronze, amethyst, agate, jasper, petrified wood, carnelian, and marble
Private collection
Photo Michael Bodycomb

The History of Saxony
Michel Victor Acier at the Royal Porcelain Manufactory of Meissen
Made at the same time and from the same mold as the group presented by Friedrich Augustus III, Elector of Saxony, to Nikolai Wasilyevitch Repnin
Meissen, 1780
Hard-paste porcelain
Porzellansammlung, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen, Dresden
Photo Michael Bodycomb

Snuffbox with a bouquet of flowers, including tulips, irises, gardenias, primroses, and forget-me-nots
Dresden, ca. 1765–70
Gold, agate, jasper, amethyst, carnelian, and lapis lazuli
Private collection
Photo Michael Bodycomb

Snuffbox with pastoral scenes
Signed "Neuber à Dresde"
Dresden, ca. 1770–75
Gold, agate, jasper, bloodstone, carnelian, and lapis lazuli
Private collection
Photo Michael Bodycomb

Snuffbox with a bouquet of tulips, verbenas, and forget-me-nots in a medallion
Stamped neu/ber and dre/sde
Dresden, ca. 1775–80
Gold, agate, chalcedony, carnelian, jasper, and lapis lazuli
Private collection
Photo Michael Bodycomb

Snuffbox with a sunshine pattern
Dresden, ca. 1770–75
Gold, agate, and carnelian
Private collection
Photo Michael Bodycomb

Snuffbox with a medallion portrait of Friedrich Augustus III, Elector of Saxony, attributed to Dolst
Signed "Neuber à Dresde"
Dresden, ca. 1775
Gold, carnelian, agate, moss agate, jasper, petrified wood, faux-pearls, and watercolor on paper
Private collection
Photo Michael Bodycomb

Snuffbox with a medallion portrait of an unknown woman in a blue dress by Christian Friedrich Zinke (1684/85–1767)
Dresden, ca. 1770–75
Gold, agate, chalcedony, carnelian, diamonds, and painted enamels
Private collection
Photo Michael Bodycomb

Snuffbox with a cameo representing Ariadne in profile
Dresden, ca. 1780–85
Gold, carnelian, chalcedony, lapis lazuli, faux-pearls, and moss agate
Private collection
Photo Michael Bodycomb

Snuffbox made of 108 samples of Saxon gemstones; a plaquette sets with 17 gemstones
Accompanied by its manuscript booklet
Dresden, ca. 1765−70
Gold, agate, moss agate, carnelian, and petrified wood
Private collection
Photo Michael Bodycomb

Bonbonnière (candy box) made of 101 samples of Saxon gemstones
Dresden, ca. 1780–85
Gold, agate, carnelian, jasper, amethyst, petrified wood, and faux-pearls
Private collection
Photo Michael Bodycomb

Snuffbox made of 93 samples of Saxon gemstones
On the bottom, a Meissen porcelain plaque representing a view of the Royal Porcelain Manufactory of Meissen
Dresden, ca. 1775–80
Gold, mostly agate and jasper, and hard-paste porcelain
Private collection
Photo Michael Bodycomb

Snuffbox made of 86 samples of Saxon gemstones
Attributed to Johann Christian Neuber
Dresden, ca. 1785–90
Gold, agate, jasper, carnelian, petrified wood, and lapis lazuli
Private collection
Photo Michael Bodycomb

Snuffbox made of 57 samples of Saxon gemstones with a cameo of Peter the Great
Dresden, ca. 1790–95
Gold, agate, jasper, and agate cameo
Private collection
Photo Michael Bodycomb

Sealing wax case
Dresden, ca. 1775–85
Gold, jasper, agate, chalcedony, carnelian, and lapis lazuli
Private collection
Photo Michael Bodycomb

Chatelaine
Watch signed "Hoendschker"
Dresden, ca. 1775–85
Gold, jasper, agate, chalcedony, carnelian, and lapis lazuli
The Drexel Collection, Philadelphia
Photo Michael Bodycomb

Bonbonnière (candy box) made of 77 samples of Saxon gemstones
Accompanied by its manuscript booklet
Dresden, ca. 1785–90
Gold, agate, jasper, chalcedony, amethyst, petrified wood, and faux-pearls
Grünes Gewölbe, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen, Dresden
Photo Michael Bodycomb

Certainly the most characteristic works by Johann Christian Neuber, the Steinkabinettabatieres (stone cabinet snuffboxes), were made of gold and Saxon gemstones. Numbers engraved on the gold rims indicated the featured stones, which were listed in an accompanying booklet along with the site where they were found. Much beloved by Friedrich Augustus III, Neuber's snuffboxes were often intended as diplomatic gifts. Easily recognizable by their portrait of the Elector of Saxony on the lid, such royal presents are today quite rare.

Agate
Oberstein, Germany
American Museum of Natural History, New York
Photo Michael Bodycomb

Jasper
Saxony, Germany
Maybe stone no. 72 in the Breteuil Table
American Museum of Natural History, New York
Photo Michael Bodycomb

Jasper from Frobburg
Saxony, Germany
Probably stone no. 106 in the Breteuil Table
American Museum of Natural History, New York
Photo Michael Bodycomb

Red jasper from Altenberg
Saxony, Germany
Stone no. 27 in the Breteuil Table
American Museum of Natural History, New York
Photo Michael Bodycomb

Agate
Oberstein, Germany
American Museum of Natural History, New York
Photo Michael Bodycomb

Agate
Oberstein, Germany
American Museum of Natural History, New York
Photo Michael Bodycomb