Tobacco box
The box is oval.Rims are lined and edges molded. Leaf scrolls adorn the borders and sides, and in the center of the front side is an engraved ship. A full-length portrait of John Law, holding a document in his hand, is rendered on the lid. Inscribed below is: Heer Johan Louw (Mr. John Law). On the document is the word: Finantie (Finance). The border incorporates a rebus, the same one that appears on 57.108.24
On the underside John Law is represented seated on clouds and wind, with a windmill on his hat. In the background at the left a man with a candle is depicted; a man with a bellows is in the center and above him is a cat with balloons tied to its paws. Inscribed (above the windmill): ik loop met (I walk with). This is meant to be read, rebus-style, with the windmill, thus: "I walk with windmills," an expression meaning "I am crazy." Inscribed above the man with the candle is: brant an't entie (Burn at the end), and on the document on the right: Passien (Mania). The inscription below reads: Wind is begin wind is 't end (Wind is the beginning, wind is the end). The border of the underside continues the rebus on the lid's border.
J. ter Gouw in De oude Tijd (Haarlem, 1874) pp. 1-6, discusses a box in the shape of a book with similar engravings. A similar box from the collection or Lady Charlotte Schreiber is in the British Museum, acc. no. M&L 1889, 7-2, 46.
On the underside John Law is represented seated on clouds and wind, with a windmill on his hat. In the background at the left a man with a candle is depicted; a man with a bellows is in the center and above him is a cat with balloons tied to its paws. Inscribed (above the windmill): ik loop met (I walk with). This is meant to be read, rebus-style, with the windmill, thus: "I walk with windmills," an expression meaning "I am crazy." Inscribed above the man with the candle is: brant an't entie (Burn at the end), and on the document on the right: Passien (Mania). The inscription below reads: Wind is begin wind is 't end (Wind is the beginning, wind is the end). The border of the underside continues the rebus on the lid's border.
J. ter Gouw in De oude Tijd (Haarlem, 1874) pp. 1-6, discusses a box in the shape of a book with similar engravings. A similar box from the collection or Lady Charlotte Schreiber is in the British Museum, acc. no. M&L 1889, 7-2, 46.
Artwork Details
- Title: Tobacco box
- Date: late 17th century
- Culture: Dutch
- Medium: Brass
- Dimensions: 5 1/2 x 3 in. (14.0 x 7.6 cm)
- Classification: Metalwork-Brass
- Credit Line: Gift of Joseph W. Drexel, 1889
- Object Number: 89.2.21
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
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Johann Heinrich Giese
ca. 1760–65
Dutch
18th century
Dutch
18th century
probably Netherlandish
early 17th century
Jan Jansen Bockeltz
ca. 1605–10
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