Vinaigrette
Artist/Maker
DatesMade: Made 1756
Material / Technique
Dimensionsh: Mått 4,1 cm
Inventory numberNMK 85/1940
AcqusitionBequest 1940 Consul Hjalmar Wicander
Other titlesTitle (sv): Luktdosa Title (en): Vinaigrette
DescriptionDescription: Frantz Bergs was the most prominent Rococo goldsmith in Sweden. He studied the trade under his uncle Henrik Hansson Richter in 1711-1717 at the age of 13-19. His time as a journeyman abroad seems to have lasted for eight years. He returned to Stockholm and became a master goldsmith in 1725. Thanks to his skills, Bergs was appointed goldsmith to the royal court in 1742, and he was asked to make adjustments to the royal crown for the coronation of King Adolf Fredrik in 1751. In 1762, he became embroiled in a major loan fraud, was declared bankrupt and imprisoned. Bergs ceased using his hallmark in 1762, but resumed in 1766-1769, but only on silver. In 1770, he was imprisoned again. Scent boxes were popular in the 18th century. Most were made of silver, but some exclusive boxes were gold, like this one by Frantz Bergs. The scent box contained a sponge soaked in perfume or aromatic vinegar. When there was an unpleasant odour in the surroundings, the box could be held under the nose to hide the bad smell with a pleasant one.
Collection
Geographical origin
TechniqueApplied art