Váltás magyar nyelvre

Decorative arts (permanent exhibition) » Small boxes

Snuffbox

with a portrait of Frederick II the Great, King of Prussia

Origin date
around 1760
Origin place
Iserlohn
Material
brass
Technique
embossed, silver plated
Sizes
height: 3,2 cm
width: 4,7 cm
length: 16 cm
Signature
lent középen: I. H. GIESE FECIT
Inscription
HEROS SECULI ...., FRIDERICUS MAGNUS BORUSSORUM REX ( „Nagy Frigyes, a poroszok királya) Hátoldalon: TRIUMPHI FRIDERICI MAXIMI
Inventory No.
55.117.1

Description and further information

An oblong tobacco box. The hinged lid is embossed with a half-length portrait of Frederick II the Great, King of Prussia (r. 1740–1786), shown turned to the left, with his head facing the viewer. The portrait is accompanied by Latin inscriptions and the Royal Prussian eagle. Above it appears the crowned, intertwined monogram FR (Fredericus Rex), together with a further Latin inscription.

The reverse depicts several Prussian victories, including those at Leipzig, Friedberg, Neisse, and Kolberg. The individual battle scenes, showing armies in combat, are enclosed within oval medallions. The Prussian eagle is positioned above the King’s crowned insignia.

In 1755, Giese’s workshop in Iserlohn was granted an imperial monopoly on the manufacture of such boxes. These so-called Frederick tobacco boxes served to commemorate and promote the King’s military successes, particularly in connection with the propaganda of the Seven Years’ War.

Provenance

San Marco-Nákó collection

Bibliography