Tobacco box

Unknown

17th century · Brass · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

The box is oval. On the lid, among the leaf scrolls, the coats of arms of the Republic of the Seven United Provinces, officially recognized in 1648, are rendered. The coats of arms are those of, from left to right (top row): Gelderland, Overijssel, Zeeland, Groningen en Ommelanden; bottom row: Friesland, Holland, and Utrecht. A lion bears the central shield of Holland. The underside shows three roundels. In the central one is depicted a walking lion with a sword, the symbol of the United Provinces. The two flanking medallions contain popinjays and flowers. Rims are lined and edges are molded; leaf scrolls adorn the borders. The sides are decorated with chevron ornament.

Artist

Unknown

Date

17th century

Medium

Brass

Culture

Dutch

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Bequest of George White Thorne, 1883