Tobacco box
An oval box. Its lid is similar to that of Number III, I. The coats of arms in the top row are, from left to right, those of the following provinces: Overijssel, Gelderland, Zeeland, Groningen en Ommelanden. The coats of arms of Utrecht, Holland, and Friesland make up the bottom row. A lion with sword bears the shield of Holland. Inscribed in a banderole below is: De seve/provensi (The seven/provinces).
The underside contains three roundels. The central one shows a standing lion with sword and a bundle of arrows, the symbol of the United Provinces. The accompanying roundels each display reversible portraits. On the left a cardinal reverses to a jester; on the right the pope's portrait reverses to that of the devil. See the discussion in the text, above.
With lined and corded rims as well as molded edges. The borders have leaf-scroll ornament and the sides chevron decoration.
A similar box was sold at Sotheby's in London on April 25, 1985, lot 262. Another, in the collection of Het Nederlands Openluchtmuseum, Arnhem, is dated 1750 and inscribed with the English name "W. Emery."
The underside contains three roundels. The central one shows a standing lion with sword and a bundle of arrows, the symbol of the United Provinces. The accompanying roundels each display reversible portraits. On the left a cardinal reverses to a jester; on the right the pope's portrait reverses to that of the devil. See the discussion in the text, above.
With lined and corded rims as well as molded edges. The borders have leaf-scroll ornament and the sides chevron decoration.
A similar box was sold at Sotheby's in London on April 25, 1985, lot 262. Another, in the collection of Het Nederlands Openluchtmuseum, Arnhem, is dated 1750 and inscribed with the English name "W. Emery."
Artwork Details
- Title: Tobacco box
- Date: late 17th–early 18th century
- Culture: Dutch
- Medium: Brass
- Dimensions: 5 1/4 x 3 in. (13.3 x 7.6 cm)
- Classification: Metalwork-Brass
- Credit Line: Gift of Joseph W. Drexel, 1889
- Object Number: 89.2.24
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
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Dutch
17th century
Johann Heinrich Giese
ca. 1760–65
Dutch
18th century
Dutch
18th century
probably Netherlandish
early 17th century
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