A "Schrauflasche" serpentine spice-box mounted in partially - Lot 39

A "Schrauflasche" serpentine spice-box mounted in partially gilded silver A "Schrauflasche" serpentine spice-box mounted in partially gilded silver With the coat of arms of Franz Albrecht von Muggerstal Stone: Saxony, 17th century Mounting: Cham, Bavaria, 1665; goldsmith: I.R. H.16 cm ; weight 829 g. Marks: A comb in a shield: Cham IR in a shield: unidentified master Provenance: Count Dorsan Goethals de Mude Collection, Belgium; Philippe d'Arschot, Brussels; Private collection, Paris. Exhibition: Magie de l'orfèvrerie. European silver from 1500 to 1850 in private collections, Ghent Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, 2000, n°189. Bibliography : E.M. Hoyer, Sächsischer Serpentin: ein Stein und seine Verwendung, exhibition catalog: Grassimuseum, Museum für Kunsthandwerk, Leipzig, 1995. Magie de l'orfèvrerie. European silver from 1500 to 1850 in private collections, vol. I, exhibition catalog: Museum of Decorative Arts and Design Ghent; Antwerp, 2000, p. 156, no. 189, ill. P. d'Arschot & E. Basso, Orfèvrerie européenne, Brussels, 2020, pp. 42-43, ill. The cylindrical serpentine box has a circular mounting in silver and gilded silver on the shoulder. The screw-threaded lid is in the shape of a silver dome, topped by a central hinge holding the gilded silver handle formed by two C-shaped brackets joined by a ball. The lid features an engraved von Muggerstal coat of arms with three crested helmets and mantling. They are framed by the initials F.A / F.V.M. and the date 1665. Condition: good Franz Albrecht, Freiherr (baron) von Muggerstal was identified in 1684 as captain and forest master of Obermurach Castle in Bavaria, as well as episcopal councilor of Regensburg and Freising. Serpentine has been used in Germany since the 15th century, mainly to make drinking cups and other vessels. Until the 18th century, the main exploitable serpentine deposit was located in Saxony, more precisely around the town of Zöblitz. Because of its relative fragility, this stone is often adorned and reinforced with silver or pewter settings, both protective and decorative. Renowned for its curative virtues and supposed ability to neutralize poisons, it was frequently featured in European Wunderkammer. The function of this type of box remains uncertain, however, being alternatively identified as a tea, tobacco or spice box, or even a perfume bottle. For pieces of similar shape, see e.g. Hoyer, pp. 257-258, no. 169-170.