Mastery of Design: The Johann Georg Klett Snuffbox, 1750

This and all related images from:
The Victoria & Albert Museum

A masterpiece of the art of stonecutting, this snuffbox comes from Dresden and is the work of the celebrated stone-cutter, Johann Georg Klett (1720-93) who cut both hardstones and glass on the wheel and is known to have worked as Hofsteinschneider (court stonecutter) for the court of Saxony in 1755.


This snuffbox from 1750 shows the fineness of his work. The bloodstone panels were mounted in gold and set with diamonds and rubies. The coronet atop the coat of arms is supported by the orders of the Elephant and St. Andrew. The arms on the lid represent Christian Ludwig II, Duke of Mecklenburg (1683-1756) who acted as regent for his brother from 1728 to 1747 and then ruled in his own right until his death.