Pieter Holm Dutch Snuffbox

Large engraved brass marine snuffbox, used to hold the pipe and
protect the tobacco.

Netherlands / Holland 18th century period.

1) Lid engraved with two portraits at the ends:

- Portrait of Julius Caesar on the left with number 45 BC,date of introduction of the Julian calendar.
The Julian calendar is a solar calendar used in ancient Rome, introduced by Julius Caesar
in 46 BC to replace the Roman Republican calendar.
>On January 1st of the year 708 of the foundation of Rome (the year 45 BC), the Julian calendar was introduced in Rome.C.) a new calendar designed under the aegis of Julius Caesar came into effect in Rome
.

- Pope Gregory XIII on the right with 1482 - date of the introduction of the Gregorian calendar.
The Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar designed in the late 16th century to take account
of the secular drift of the Julian calendar then in use.

On this side a table of months and day, it allowed calculation of the day of the week and lunar age for any
date of the calendar.

2) On the reverse:

A gentleman holding a sphere, probably Amerigo Vespucci.
The date 1497 corresponds to Amerigo Vespucci's first voyage, which would also give him
the title of first European to set foot on the American continent, a year before Christopher Columbus.

At the end of this portrait an engraved inscription:
"Geen konst maar rijkdom kan men verliesen, Daarom is konst voor rijkdom te kiezen"
Google translation:
"One can lose not one's skill, but one's wealth. Therefore, choosing wealth is an art"

The board on this reverse allowed the sailor to obtain an estimate of the ship's speed, I know nothing
of its use.

3) Front incription: "Reght (Regt) Door Zee"
Google translation "Directly / direction (regt) across the sea"


Very good original condition, in its old patina.
No dents, minor dent under base, perfectly functional hinge.

Dimensions 16.7 cm x 4.5 cm
Height 3.5 cm

Price non-negotiable.

Payment by check or bank transfer.

Postage 14 euros Colissimo recommandé or Mondial Relay for France, secure packaging, other countries contact me.