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.