Expensive Swiss Holster...

[ViggoG]

Fritz,
I would guess! That you are very near to having the answer pegged!
It is probably accomplished with a clear glass plane above a black velvet background that is behind and out of the focal plane.
The lighting is accomplished with multiple diffused light sources or circular diffused lighting around the camera lens. These casts little or no shadows and give a soft non-glaring light.
This accounts for the lack of overpowering highlights and adds the soft tone to the photograph.
When I was in my late teens my mother was a commercial artist and photographer.
I've seen her work for hours to get the light positioning and diffusion just exactly right to produce flawless photographs and paintings.
Sometimes waiting for hours to get the sunlight shining at just the proper angle for the best effect, I have a fair eye but lack the patience.
One must have an eye for art and lighting in order to produce that class of work consistently.
That’s what separates "The Artist" from the "Shutterbugs", like Me.
ViggoG