Gilt metal mounted agate and mother of pearl snuff box

This small snuff box is edged on all sides with engraved gilt metal. Each of the four sides and the top features polychrome mother of pearl and hardstone inlays, set beautifully in figurative compositions against the agate ground. The top of the hinged lid is set with a hardstone cameo bust of a female figure, flanked on either side by mother of pearl flowers and drapery garlands. The front features a homestead and a charioted man and horse, all set in mother of pearl. The back is decorated with a landscape scene of buildings, a bridge and river, and trees, again executed in mother of pearl inlay. The shorter sides are similarly decorated. The marbling of the agate is clearly visible on the interior of the box.