"Corrozo Nut Snuffbox Corozo, Boat Shape, Zoomorphic Head, Musicians Angels & Mythological Main Thema"
Folk artLovely and finely carved corozo nut snuffbox, "boat" shape with 3 musicians angels both sides and front (trumpet, violin and harp) and an historiated or mythological subject on the lid, and zoomorphic head tip on the back.
It's probably a popular representation of Zeus, holding in his hand the symbol of lightning and his eagle, and Prometheus in chains, holding a scepter or torch with the divine flame.
"In Greek mythology, Prometheus is sometimes referred to as the Titan god of fire. Prometheus is best known for defying the Olympian gods by stealing fire from them and giving it to humanity in the form of technology, knowledge, and more generally, civilization.
Prometheus is known for his intelligence and for being a champion of mankind, and is also generally seen as the author of the human arts and sciences.
The punishment of Prometheus for stealing fire from Olympus and giving it to humans is a subject of both ancient and modern culture. Zeus, king of the Olympian gods, condemned Prometheus to eternal torment for his transgression. Prometheus was bound to a rock, and an eagle—the emblem of Zeus—was sent to eat his liver (in ancient Greece, the liver was thought to be the seat of human emotions). His liver would then grow back overnight, only to be eaten again the next day in an ongoing cycle."
France, early 19th cty (or late 18th)
Sizes: 8.5cm lenght * 4.3cm large and 4cm high
Perfect condition; Please note that one of the 2 brass axe / nail is missing, attaching the hinge to the lid, but this last one doesn't move. It s easily possible to add one. There is too a adarker part on one side, whicj come from original color of the corozo nut.
Very nice and shinny patina
Le Magazine
Rivista Artiquariato
TRÉSORS magazine