DALLAS, TX.- A Rare and Important Christian Maas Swedish 20-Karat Gold and Enameled Snuff Box, from a private Texas collection of fine gold and enameled snuff boxes, leads a stellar collection expected to realize a combined $500,000 in Heritage Auctions' biannual Fine Silver and Objects of Vertu auction. The auction's nearly 600 lots span American, English, Continental, Russian and 20th Century Design Oct. 18 in Dallas.

"Our Silver and Vertu auctions are always filled with spectacular finds, but this season's offering of snuff boxes are particularly strong," said Karen Rigdon, Director of Silver and Decorative Arts at Heritage. "The entire selection is a wonderful survey of the art of the subject with a fine selection of Swedish, Swiss, French, and German."

The Christian Maas box dances with gold paillon stars floating above the translucent sapphire-blue enamel ground (est. $70,000-$90,000). It is just one in a collection of nearly 30 Swedish, Swiss, and German gold boxes, such as a Swiss Enameled 18K Gold Snuff Box with a finely-executed Harbor Scene (est. $30,000-$50,000) and a Les Freres Toussaint German Vari-Color 18K Gold Snuff Box, from Hanau, Germany, circa 1780 (est. $30,000-$50,000). Additional objects of vertu include a Faberge Pig Bell Push, a whimsical piece made by the renowned work master Julius Rappoport (est. $30,000-$50,000).

American silver makers are highlighted in the sale. An historic and important Whiting Etched Trophy Bowl for the 1883 National Horse Show — one of the finest examples of late 19th century acid etched design may sell for $15,000.

"This presentation bowl is a tour de force, exhibiting a complexity of acid etched design rarely seen," Rigdon said. "The entire body is wrapped with an intricately acid-etched scene which tells a rather macabre story."

The scene illustrates the 1790 poem "Tam O'Shanter," by Scottish poet William Burns. In the poem, a drunkard taunts a coven of ghosts, witches, and the devil, but is saved in the end by his trusty horse, Tam, which loses a tail in the process.

Additional examples of American silver ranges from a Monumental Mauser Vase with a Fluid Bronze Base (est. $7,000-$9,000); to a fine selection of coin silver, featuring a six-piece S. Kirk & Son Tea and Coffee Service (est. $6,000-$9,000); and two rare Trophies from the Tournament of Roses Parade (est. $2,500-$3,500).

Among the offering of English silver is a brilliantly fluid Silver Figural Punch by Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. — exhibiting an inverted pyriform body circled by 11 unique mythical dragons in flight — comes from a private southern collection (est. $7,000-$10,000); and a rare, Victorian Silver-Plated Storer's Patent Fountain (est. $2,500-$3,500), circa 1870-1880.

Additional highlights include, but are not limited to:

• An Imperial Russian Silver Toilet Box from the Wedding Service of Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna and Maximilian de Beauharnais, Duke of Leuchtenberg, St. Petersburg, Russia, circa 1839 (est. $5,000-$7,000).

• A strong collection of 20th century Design including Eric Magnussen's iconic bowl and candlesticks (est. $8,000-$12,000) and a stunning selection of works by Damian Garrido.

• A Charles Petit Louis XIV Gilt Silver Scent Bottle, circa 1672 (est. $3,000-$5,000).

• A Rare Continental Porphyry Sunstone and Gilt Silver Scent Bottle, perhaps German or Italian, early to mid-18th century (est. $3,000-$5,000).