Lapis Lazuli has been highly regarded since neolithic times. It was used to make beads and seals. The ancient Egyptians often used this stone to make amulets and scarabs as well as jewellery. It was often mixed with turquoise and gold.
Below are some examples of later lapis lazuli boxes. It was often used alongside precious metals and other gemstones. Considering it’s rich colour, it is not surprising that many imperial pieces used this semi-precious gemstone.
Large Lapis Lazuli Presentation Box
Formed of large panels of polished jewelry-grade lapis lazuli, originating from Afghanistan, which is flecked with pyrite. The lid surmounted with a stylized gilded lizard, eyes inset with blue glass cabochons imitating turquoise. The hinged lid opening to reveal a velvet lined interior. The bottom completed with a brass plate. Raised on four griffin-claw feet. Length 10in.
Sold for US$ 2,500 (£ 1,793) inc. premium at Bonhams in 2017
A LOUIS XV ENAMELLED VARI-COLOUR GOLD SNUFF-BOX
BY JEAN-BERNARD SAUVAGE (FL. 1749-1791), MARKED, PARIS, 1769/1770, WITH THE CHARGE AND DECHARGE MARKS OF JULIEN ALATERRE 1768-1774
oval box, the cover, sides and base enamelled en plein with a ground imitating lapis lazuli and each centred with an oval sablé plaque, the plaques on the cover and base with vari-colour gold trophies of music and love within ribbon-tied floral frames, the plaques on each side chased with vari-colour gold classical vases within ribbon-tied laurel frames, the vari-colour gold pilasters chased with husks and stylised foliage, the outer borders of polished gold, chased with foliage stamped at intervals with flowerheads, the sides of the cover with gold swags hung from polished gold nails, the later interior lining of the cover engraved ‘6th Duke’, in fitted red leather case stamped ‘Wartski 138, Regent Street, London, W.1. and Llandudno.’
3½ in. (90 mm.) wide.
Sold for GBP 68,750 at Christies in 2017
AN UNUSUAL EARLY 20TH CENTURY CONTINENTAL SILVER AND LAPIS LAZULI BOX decorated with birds. 8.8 oz. 8.5 cm wide.
Sold For: £150 at Hannam’s Auctioneers Ltd in 2018
Lapis Lazuli has often been used with other gemstones as shown in this leaf-shaped box made during the 17th–19th century
Top decoration: Newari; box: Tibet, Lhasa area,
Gold, aquamarine, diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphire, pearl, lapis lazuli, and turquoise ; 6 x 2 1/2 in. (15.2 x 6.3 cm)
This box made for an elite patron presents the god Vishnu, in carved aquamarine, in a field of emeralds. The lid was made in a Nepalese workshop, while the gold box was manufactured in Tibet.
The object speaks for a seamless integration of Hindu deities with the Tibetan pantheon.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
An American silver, gold and lapis lazuli box, Edward F. Caldwell & Co., New York, circa 1910
the lapis panels applied with gold flowerheads between birds with flowing tail feathers on the base and between masks issuing foliage on the cover, interior lined with fabric
signed on base rim Edward F. Caldwell & Co. New York
length 7 3/8 in.
18.7 cm
Sold for 6,875 USD in 2017
