c1853 Prague Snuff Box

[Adam.NYC]

I've had this for a long time and was just curious if there was any way to pin down the maker. It is city Prague, with Austrian mark for 1853 and maker HG. The only reference I could find for these initials and date is Heinrich Gudehus. Any other possibilities? With the crown engraved, I like to pretend that it was once owned by Royalty!

[Joerg]

Hi

Just to reduce your expectation a bit. The crown is a common Nobility crown for lower Nobility.
See here the Wikipedia Article in German:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adelskrone

see also the English aricle on coronets:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronet

So everyday Nobility...

Regards

Jörg

[Adam.NYC]

Ha! I did say I like to pretend! And, by the way, most Americans are not well versed about European Royalty so it really doesn't matter at all!

[blakstone]

The maker is Hieronymous (Jeroným) Grohmann, born 12 Sep 1803 in Langenau (now in the Czech Republic) the son of Franz (František) Grohmann, a goldsmith of Schaiba (also now in the Czech Republic). He was apprenticed 1816-1821 to Kašpar Kerlický, became a master on 3 Jun 1833 and a citizen of Prague-Neustadt on 2 Mar 1835. He held a warrant as court goldsmith in Prague (hence the Habsburg "doppeladler" mark), and received a license to open a gold, silver and metalware factory from the Bohemian government in 1846. However, he retired owing to ill health in 1847 and died 1 Dec 1859 in Prague. The firm was coninued by his (second) wife Aloysia Ippold (1813-1871) and later his son Karel (1837-aft. 1900) until the 1880s. Exhibited London (1851, 1862), Paris (1855, 1867) & Vienna (1873). The company was known for a high level of technical skill and is generally regarded as one of the best central European makers of the 19th century.

Hope this helps!

[dognose]

Hieronymous Grohmann - Leipzig and Prague - 1847

Trev

[Adam.NYC]

Wow thanks to both of you for this information!