Dutch Brass Snuff Box With Engraved Biblical Motifs – 18th Century, Snuff Box, 1720

A rare Dutch snuffbox made of engraved brass, crafted during the 18th century.
Entirely decorated with point engraving on all sides, it is a remarkable example of Dutch folk art, blending the engraver’s virtuosity with religious teachings and moral maxims.

The decoration is organized into several panels illustrating episodes from the Old Testament, accompanied by texts in Old Dutch.
The scenes are separated by cartouches shaped like the Tablets of the Law, recalling the Ten Commandments.
The figures are set against architectural landscapes framed by typically Dutch rocaille foliage.

The inscriptions that can be made out correspond to several biblical commandments.
One of the passages refers to observing the Lord’s Day (“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy”), while another recalls the prohibition against idolatry (“You shall not make for yourself a carved image…”).
The engraved scenes likely illustrate the consequences of obeying or transgressing these commandments, in accordance with a moralizing iconography that was widespread in the United Provinces during the 18th century.

The inscriptions engraved on the sides reinforce this moral dimension. One of them reads “EEN IS EEN DER,” a Dutch proverbial phrase found on other Dutch snuffboxes from the same period.

A functional hinge and an engraving of remarkable freshness.

The two large central cartouches depict the Tablets of the Law, while the engraved scenes around them illustrate several commandments:

• observance of the Sabbath;

• the prohibition of idols;

• scenes showing the consequences of obedience or disobedience to divine law;

• moral mottos engraved on the sides, intended to remind the owner of Christian values.

In excellent condition.