Hofkonzert in Schloß Ismaning (Ausschnitt), Peter Jakob Horemans, München, wohl 1733. Öl auf Leinwand. © Bayerisches Nationalmuseum München

MUNICH, GERMANY.- The Bayerisches Nationalmuseum is showing a special exhibition titled “Galante Preziosen der Fürsten von Thurn und Taxis” (Precious Trinkets of the Princes of Thurn and Taxis) through 30 March 2008. The focal point of the show is a unique ensemble of 55 gold snuffboxes dating from the second half of the 18th century, which the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum acquired along with the main holdings in the art collections of the Princes of Thurn and Taxis. The state-of-the-art snuffboxes originate from France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, England and Russia. These are captivating objects not only because of their perfect craftsmanship, but also because they are opulently embellished with gemstones and the finest enamel paintings; some of the boxes are made of rock crystal or lapis lazuli, others of hard stones; some are decorated with small plates of carved ivory or Japanese lacquer. The snuffboxes, documented in an inventory as early as 1796, were mainly collected by Prince Carl Anselm of Thurn and Taxis (1733-1805), who as First Commissioner represented the Emperor at the Permanent Imperial Diet in Regensburg and had significant income at his disposal from the Thurn and Taxis postal service. Today, the gold snuffboxes once owned by the Thurn and Taxis family constitute an outstanding, historical, integrated whole which has no equivalent in any other German museum.

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