Gold and Silver Cigarette Box with Enamel and Malachite

• Manner of .... / Style of ..... - A cataloguing term where the item, in the opinion of the cataloguer is a work in the style of the artist, craftsman or designer, possibly of a later period.
• Malachite - Malachite is bright copper-green coloured stone with concentric layers which displays distinct contrasting veinings. It has been valued in the past for making or decorating small precious objects such as clocks, jewellery, dishes and so. In the Orient it was used for snuff bottles and in Russia and was favoured by the Faberge workshop. larger pieces were used for table tops.
  
  The principal source of supply was Russia but it is to be found in other regions such as Southern Africa, Mexico, Australia and France.
  
  Malachite glass is a manufactured material that was intended to resemble malachite, but often bears more resemblance to a veined coloured marble due to its lower gloss finish and lack of concentric layers. Malachite glass was manufactured by many glassworks in the 19th century including Loetz in Austria and others in Bohemia and Davidson's Greener's and Sowerby in north eastern England.
  
  It was particularly used for scent bottles, bowls, and small vases often decorated with nymphs.
  
  Malachite glass has been manufactured continuously since the late nineteenth century, most is unmarked and it is difficult to distinguish the age or manufacturer of most commercial pieces.
• Chased Decoration - Chased decoration on silver and other metal wares refers to a technique used by silversmiths in which designs are created by hammering or incising the surface of the silver to create raised or recessed patterns. This technique is often used to create intricate and detailed designs on silverware, jewellery, and other decorative items.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• snuff boxes, country of origin - European, silver and other 111
• snuff boxes, material
  • enamel 57
  • gilt 59
  • gold 76