Description:

FREDERICK THE GREAT GENTLEMAN''S TOBACCO CANISTER
Copper and bronze tobacco box with a hinged lid, 6 1/4" x 2" x 1 1/4", elaborately etched with scenes and inscriptions in Old Dutch or Low German, celebrating the Prussian victory over the Russian army at the Battle of Zorndorf in 1758. The lid of the box features a center panel depicting the battle itself, with the inscription: "Compleete Victorie Over De Russen By Zorndorf 25 AU[GUST] 1758". A number of features of this scene are numbered, with a key inscribed in the medallion at the left denoting impoortant figures, including the Prussian King ("Der Konig V. Preu."), the opposing Russian general, and "Die Fluchti Russ." ("The Fleeing Russians"). The medallion at the right depicts the artillery bombardment of Custrin (modern Kostryzn, Poland), and the space between each medallion is filled with figures of cherubs, crowns, and a Prussian eagle. The bottom of the box bears a half-length portrait of Prussian king FREDERICK THE GREAT (1712-1786), here entitled "Fridericus Magnus Borussorum Rex". Above this portrait is the Latin inscription; "Heros Seculi Defensor Germania Protecto Patriae Et Religionis" ("The Hero of the World, Defender [of] Germany. Protector [of] Country and Religion"). Beneath the Protrait is a Prussian crowned eagle. On both sides, the maker has inscribed his name: "I[ohan] H[einrich] HAMER", adding "Iser." on the top panel, for Iserlohn, Germany. The side panels of the tine bear the carved cursive initials "H" and "B" on opposite sides, with the initials "G R" beside the portrait of the king on the bottom. The box was likely made circa 1760, at a time when multiple artisans in Iserlohn manufactured similar items to commemorate the events of the Seven Years'' War. Some small areas of green patination on the copper bottom panel, expected age wear, else very good.

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May 9, 2017 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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